El Paso Windy Season: How to Protect and Prepare Your Home

This is the single most important thing you can do before windy season hits. During El Paso dust storms, enormous amounts of fine particulate matter get pulled into your HVAC system. A clogged filter means dust bypasses filtration, circulates through your ductwork, degrades your indoor air quality, and forces your system to work harder — and cost more to run.

• Replace your air filter before windy season starts — don’t wait until it looks dirty.
• Use a MERV 11 or higher filter. MERV 13 is ideal if anyone in your home has allergies or asthma.
• Stock up on extra filters — during peak dust season, change them every 2–3 weeks instead of the typical 30–90 days.
• Wipe down your return air vent grilles before inserting the new filter.
• Check that any whole-home air purifier or UV system is functioning properly.

Wind-driven dust is relentless — it finds every crack, gap, and failing seal it can. If you’ve ever noticed a fine layer of dust on your windowsills after a storm with the windows closed, you know exactly what we mean. Proper sealing keeps dust out, reduces energy bills, and protects your interior finishes.

• Inspect weatherstripping on all exterior doors. If it’s compressed, cracked, or peeling — replace it. It’s a $10 fix that makes a huge difference.
• Check door sweeps at the base of all entry doors, including the door from your home to the garage.
• Look at window caulking around interior and exterior frames. Recaulk any cracks with a flexible, paintable caulk.
• Inspect sliding glass door tracks — packed dust and debris can prevent the door from sealing fully.
• For older windows, consider temporary window insulation film as an added dust barrier for the season.

High winds are one of the leading causes of roof damage in the El Paso area. Lifted shingles, damaged flashing, and debris-clogged gutters can turn a routine wind day into a costly repair — especially when spring rain follows on the heels of a windstorm.

• Walk your home’s perimeter and look up at the roofline for shingles that appear lifted, missing, or curling.
• Check roof flashing around vents, chimneys, and skylights for separation from the surface.
• Clear gutters and downspouts of winter debris before the storms arrive.
• If your home is under Edwards Homes warranty, review your warranty docs before making any roof repairs — contact our warranty team first.

Your backyard can become a hazard zone in a strong El Paso windstorm. Unsecured patio furniture, decorations, trash bins, and even potted plants can become projectiles in 50 mph gusts — damaging your home, your vehicle, or your neighbor’s property.

• Bring lightweight patio furniture inside or use furniture tie-down straps.
• Secure or store outdoor decorations, potted plants, and garden ornaments before a forecast wind event.
• Lock trash and recycling bins against your fence or store them in the garage on high-wind days.
• Check that all fence sections, gates, and trellises are firmly anchored. Loose fence posts are the #1 post-windstorm repair in El Paso.
• If you have shade sails, drop them before high-wind events — they catch wind like a parachute and can rip the mounting hardware out of the wall.
• Trim tree branches that hang near your roofline. Dead or weak limbs snap easily in high winds.

Garage doors are one of the most vulnerable parts of a home during high-wind events. A door that isn’t properly sealed or maintained allows large amounts of dust into your garage — and if the door gives under pressure, it can cause structural stress on the rest of the home.

• Test the weatherstripping seal along the bottom and sides of the garage door. Replace if worn or cracked.
• Check spring tension and cable operation. If the door feels unbalanced or sluggish, call a pro to service it.
• Verify the auto-reverse safety feature is functioning correctly.
• Keep the garage door closed during active dust storms — even briefly opening it during a storm lets in a significant amount of fine dust.

El Paso’s windy season is the calm before the storm. Summer temperatures regularly climb above 100°F, and your HVAC system needs to be in peak condition before that heat arrives. March and April are the perfect window — scheduling is easy, wait times are short, and you beat the summer rush.

• Cleaning the condenser coils on your outdoor AC unit — dust from windy season coats the coils and kills efficiency fast.
• Checking refrigerant levels and testing overall system performance.
• Inspecting and cleaning ductwork if you’ve noticed excessive dust buildup at vents.
• Testing thermostat calibration and replacing batteries.
• Inspecting the condensate drain line for blockages before high-humidity summer months.

If you’re an Edwards Homes homeowner, your home came with a comprehensive warranty and a Maintenance Guide that covers recommended service intervals and what’s protected under your warranty terms. Before you start making repairs or modifications, always check your documentation first.

Routine maintenance items — like changing air filters, cleaning dryer vents, checking caulking, and clearing gutters — are homeowner responsibilities that also protect your warranty coverage. Staying on top of these ensures that if something does go wrong, you’re in the best possible position.

Access your Maintenance Guide and Warranty Documents anytime in the Resources section of our website.