Key takeaways
- Vents first. Buried furnace, water heater and dryer vents can push carbon monoxide back into the house.
- Clear the gas meter by hand or with a broom. DTE Energy says no sharp tools, salt, chemicals or hot water.
- A buried fire hydrant costs firefighters time they do not have.
- Storm drains and window wells decide where the meltwater goes when it thaws.
On this page
1. Furnace and water heater vents
High-efficiency furnaces and water heaters usually vent through two plastic pipes on the side of the house, often only a foot or two above the ground. One is the exhaust; one brings in combustion air. Drifting snow can bury both. DTE Energy advises keeping natural gas appliance vents and air intakes clear, because a blocked vent can let carbon monoxide build up inside.
Clear them gently by hand or with a brush. Make sure a plow or a snowblower is not throwing snow onto that side of the house.
2. The dryer vent
Dryer vents are often low on an outside wall, too. A blocked dryer vent traps heat and lint, and if the dryer is gas, exhaust. Brush it clear before running a load.
3. The gas meter
Snow and ice on a gas meter can damage the regulator and vent. DTE Energy's guidance is to clear the meter carefully by hand, or with a brush or broom, and not to use sharp tools, salt, ice-melting chemicals or hot water on it. Keep shovels and snowblowers away from it, and do not pile snow against it. If it looks damaged, call the utility.
4. The nearest fire hydrant
A buried hydrant costs firefighters minutes, and minutes matter. Many fire departments ask residents to clear roughly three feet around the hydrant and a path to the street. Check what your local department asks for, and if there is a hydrant on your lot line, adopt it for the winter.
5. The storm drain at the curb
The catch basin in front of your house is where tomorrow's meltwater needs to go. If it is buried under a plow ridge, water pools at the end of the driveway and refreezes overnight, which is exactly how black ice forms at the apron. See black ice on driveways.
6. Basement window wells
Snow piled against basement windows melts straight down the wells. Clearing them keeps water out of the basement during the thaw, and keeps egress windows usable as an emergency exit.
7. The mailbox approach
Mail carriers need a clear approach to the box. A mailbox buried behind the plow ridge can delay delivery, which matters if you are waiting on medication or checks.
Bonus: your car's tailpipe
If you warm up a car that has been snowed in, clear the tailpipe first so exhaust cannot back up into the cabin, and never run a car in a closed garage.
Where the snow should not go
When you or your snow company pile snow, keep it away from vents, the gas meter, window wells and the side of the house. Pile it where meltwater will drain away from the foundation, and never into the street, which is a civil infraction in Michigan. Our first-snow checklist helps you pick pile spots before the season.
Sources
- DTE Energy: gas safety at home — keeping vents and air intakes clear
- DTE Energy: keep your meter clear
Written by the Macomb Lawn & Snow Solutions team in Macomb Township, Michigan. We plow and salt homes and businesses across all 26 Macomb County communities, November 15 to April 15. Published September 28, 2026. About us · How we research these guides · How our dispatch works