New Mexico homeowner guide

Main water shutoff

At the meter or wall entry. Many northern NM homes have older plumbing systems. Know your shutoff and verify it works before any freeze event.

Radon: test immediately

New Mexico has high radon statewide. The Albuquerque basin, Santa Fe area, and the uranium-rich Grants Belt are particularly elevated. NMED (NM Environment Department) recommends testing all NM homes. Test within 90 days of move-in.

Adobe and earthen home maintenance

Northern NM has significant adobe and earthen architecture. These homes require different maintenance: annual inspection for plaster cracking and rain erosion, re-plastering of exposed adobe brick, and monitoring of drainage away from earthen walls. Water infiltration into adobe is structural. Address immediately.

UV and dry air exterior maintenance

New Mexico's high altitude (Albuquerque is 5,300 ft, Santa Fe is 7,000 ft) means UV intensity 40-50% above sea level. Exterior caulk, paint, and wood degrade faster than at lower altitudes. Inspect and re-caulk annually.

HVAC and evaporative cooler maintenance

Evaporative (swamp) coolers are common in NM's dry climate. Service annually in spring (replace pads, clean reservoir, check pump). Transition to heat in fall. In humid monsoon periods, evaporative coolers are less effective. Know when to switch to refrigerated AC if you have it.

Defensible space before fire season

New Mexico's 2022 Hermit's Peak/Calf Canyon Fire burned 341,000 acres and destroyed 900+ homes. This was the largest fire in state history, and it started from two controlled burns that escaped under unprecedented wind conditions. Establish 30-foot defensible space, remove ladder fuels, screen vents with metal mesh, and know two evacuation routes.

Roof and exterior inspection

NM's freeze-thaw cycles in north and high-elevation communities cause caulk failure and flashing damage. Inspect in spring after winter.

Monsoon flash flood preparation

New Mexico's monsoon (July-September) delivers intense, localized thunderstorms. Albuquerque's Rio Grande valley and arroyo systems fill rapidly. Never drive through flooded arroyos. Know which arroyos are near your home.

Haboob (dust storm) preparation

Eastern and southern NM experience dust storms during and after monsoon systems. Seal gaps around windows and doors with weatherstripping.

NM high-elevation freeze prep

Santa Fe, Taos, and high-altitude communities can reach -20°F in severe winters. By November: heating system serviced, pipes insulated in unheated spaces, 7-day supplies stocked. Albuquerque reaches 10-15°F; hose bibs must be insulated and hoses disconnected.

Test and mitigate

New Mexico's geology produces elevated radon across most of the state. Sub-slab depressurization systems are highly effective. NMED provides a list of certified mitigators.

Class A roofing and ember protection

Replace combustible roofing with Class A fire-resistant materials. Screen all vents with 1/8-inch metal mesh. Replace combustible decking within Zone 1 with composite or metal alternatives.

Go-bag and two-route planning

The Hermit's Peak Fire taught that fires can grow from 5,000 to 100,000 acres in 24 hours under extreme wind. Pre-pack a go-bag with 72-hour supplies, medications, documents, and pet supplies. Know two evacuation routes. Sign up for NM Emergency Alert: nmsave.nm.gov.

Leave immediately when ordered

When evacuation order is issued: leave immediately. NM wildfires under extreme wind conditions spread faster than predicted. Don't wait to see smoke or flames; by that point, roads may be cut off.

Shut off and drain

Main water off at the meter. Open all faucets. NM plumber wait times after hard freeze events: 48-72 hours in Albuquerque, longer in rural and mountain communities.

Flash flood inflow at grade level

Most NM homes don't have basements. Flooding enters at grade from monsoon flash floods and arroyo overflow. Do not enter flooded areas with submerged electrical equipment. Call PNM (1-888-342-9766) or your cooperative to disconnect at the meter. Move to higher ground immediately.

Winter freeze outages in high-altitude communities

NM mountain community outages in winter are dangerous. PNM: 1-888-342-9766. El Paso Electric: 1-800-592-1634. Generator outside only, 20+ feet from windows.

Evacuate and call from outside

Rotten egg smell: everyone out. Leave door open. Call 911. New Mexico Gas (NMGC): 1-888-664-2726. Do not re-enter until cleared.

Two exits, meet outside, never re-enter

Two ways out of every room. Outdoor meeting place. Crawl under smoke. Call 911. Never re-enter.