Furnace Exhaust Pipe Covered In Snow

A vent that is buried in snow is starving your furnace for the air it needs for combustion.

Furnace exhaust pipe covered in snow.

If enough snow falls in your area during a short period of time the pipes may become clogged with the snow which may freeze in the vent pipe. Turn the furnace off wait a minute and then turn back on. Don t block your intake or exhaust pipe for your furnace or water heater. If you do notice a mound of snow blocking your furnace vent clear it away by hand don t use a shovel or a snow blower as either could cause damage to the furnace vent pipe.

The unit will reset. Clear the snow from the intake and exhaust pipe. When we have a lot of blizzarding snow the pipes. If your furnace is continuously trying to start up but isn t turning on the problem may be a blocked outdoor intake and exhaust pipe.

When it snows most people focus on driving conditions and shoveling sidewalks. Snow buildup in your vent pipes can lead to sewer gases inside your house. The furnace vent pipes the exhaust and intake can get plugged up with snow he said. After each heavy snowfall or windstorm that may cause snow drifts to move around make sure to check these vents for all blockages.

Just as with a furnace vent pipe gas and electric meters can malfunction if exposed to frost ice or a buildup of snow. Mother nature can be aggressive sometimes as today. Your plumbing vent pipes sit exposed on your house s roof where objects such as tree twigs tennis balls and even snow may fall down the pipes. Severe snowfall or snow that collects in areas around your home should also be on everyone s mind as winter approaches.

The solution is simple. If your furnace vent isn t through a chimney on your roof you ll need to look for a lateral vent for both the air intake and the exhaust. Anything that can block hvac vents or the intake exhaust pipe to your furnace or water can cause significant damage to those systems.