Whatever you skip this fall, winter finds it — a cracked expansion joint turns into a heaved slab, a leaning fence post turns into a fallen section, a weak tree limb turns into storm damage. Here's what's worth walking your property for before the freeze sets in.
Concrete and hardscape
- Seal any cracks in your driveway, walkways, or patio now — water that gets in and freezes is what turns a hairline crack into a heaved slab by spring.
- Clear leaves and debris off hard surfaces regularly; wet, matted leaves left over winter can stain and degrade concrete and pavers.
- Check that grading still slopes away from your foundation — clogged gutters and shifting soil can quietly redirect water where you don't want it.
Lawn
- Fall is the best window all year for aeration and overseeding in St. Louis — cooler air, warm soil, and less weed competition give new grass its best shot before dormancy.
- Keep mowing until growth stops, gradually lowering the height for the last cut or two — going into winter with grass too long invites snow mold.
- Clear leaves regularly rather than letting them mat down; a smothered lawn come March is a much bigger fix than a weekly rake or mow.
- A fall fertilizer application helps roots store energy for winter and gives you a head start on spring green-up.
Fencing
- Check posts for looseness now — ground that's about to freeze and thaw repeatedly will only make an existing wobble worse.
- Re-stain or seal wood fencing before the wet season sets in; a dry, sealed fence handles freeze-thaw cycles far better than bare wood.
- Tighten hardware and hinges — gates that drag or stick tend to get worse, not better, once cold weather sets in.
Trees
- Have dead or weak limbs removed before winter storms turn them into a falling hazard on a fence, car, or roofline.
- Fall is also a good time for stump grinding on anything removed earlier in the year, before the ground freezes and equipment access gets harder.
- Look for trees leaning more than they used to, or roots lifting near the base — signs worth having assessed before ice and wind put more load on them.
Cleanup
- Clear out anything in the garage, shed, or yard you won't use again this season — junk sitting through a wet winter only gets harder (and pricier) to deal with later.
- Haul off yard waste, old furniture, or debris now rather than letting it sit under snow until spring.
Getting ahead of it
Almost everything on this list is cheaper to handle in the fall than to repair after a hard winter. If you'd rather have a second set of eyes walk the property with you, reach out for a free walkthrough and we'll flag anything that needs attention before the cold sets in.