The Essential Post-Blizzard Check Every Illinois Homeowner Needs to Make

Slick, snow-covered roads throughout Illinois aren't the only thing you need to worry about today. Checking your furnace exhaust pipe should also be high on the priority list.

Blizzard Cleanup in Illinois

Thanks to a blizzard pounding Northern Illinois overnight, everyone is focused on shoveling driveways, clearing sidewalks, and making sure the snowblower starts after sitting unused all winter.

After white knuckling it behind the wheel on the way to and from work today I returned home to snowdrifts up to my knees on my driveway, sidewalk, and back porch area.

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As I stood in my backyard trying to figure out where to start shoveling I noticed something disturbing: my home’s furnace exhaust pipe was partially blocked with snow.

Dangers of Blocked Furnace Pipes

In case you didn't know, many modern furnaces vent through small PVC pipes that stick out of the side of a house, instead of through a chimney like they did in the past. These pipes sit close to the ground, so getting clogged with snow and ice is a pretty common problem, especially when high winds and drifting snow are involved.

Here comes the bad news.

When furnace exhaust pipes get blocked or buried, your furnace can't function properly. The system may shut down, or worse yet, cause poisonous gases like carbon monoxide to build up in your home. Backpressure from a clogged exhaust pipes also poses a serious fire risk.

Now for the good news.

Fixing a blocked furnace exhaust pipe is pretty easy. Just grab a broom (a shovel can damage the pipe), head outside, and gently brush away the snow.

Safety experts also recommend clearing at least a couple feet of space around the pipes to help avoid having them get clogged again.

After you finish digging out the driveway and checking your furnace vents, please don't forget to reward yourself with a mug of hot cocoa while you cozy up on the couch and enjoy the rest of your snow day.