Immediate action guide
Foundation Repair Contractor Emergency Action Steps
What to do right now before a foundation repair contractor arrives, with clear lines for 911, utility, and contractor calls.
First rule
If there is fire, smoke, shock, collapse risk, gas odor, carbon monoxide alarm, injury, trapped people, or any uncertainty about safety, leave the area and call 911. Use these steps only when you can act from a safe position.
E1
New Large Foundation Crack
Do this now
- Move people, pets, and valuables away from the cracked wall, floor, basement, crawlspace, and rooms above.
- Keep people away from the crack if it is widening, leaking, or near a sagging area.
- Mark the crack ends with tape and keep water away from the foundation if safe.
- Photograph safely, note the time, and save temporary-material receipts.
- Call foundation repair and describe crack size, direction, water, and recent soil movement.
Do not do this
- - Do not fill, drill, or brace a moving foundation crack yourself.
- - Do not re-enter while alarms, odors, sparks, smoke, water, or movement continue.
E2
Basement Wall Bowing
Do this now
- Move people, pets, and valuables away from the bowed wall, floor, ceiling joists, and exterior soil above.
- Stay away from the wall and avoid storing items or people near it.
- Divert roof and surface water away without digging beside the wall.
- Photograph safely, note the time, and save temporary-material receipts.
- Call a foundation contractor or structural engineer and report bowing, cracks, and water.
Do not do this
- - Do not push, shore, or remove soil against a bowing wall yourself.
- - Do not re-enter while alarms, odors, sparks, smoke, water, or movement continue.
E3
Water Entering Crack
Do this now
- Move people, pets, and valuables away from the leaking foundation crack, floor, outlets, and stored belongings.
- Keep water away from outlets and turn off power to wet areas only from dry footing.
- Use buckets and towels inside while diverting downspouts at ground level outside.
- Photograph safely, note the time, and save temporary-material receipts.
- Call foundation repair and a plumber if the water source may be a pipe.
Do not do this
- - Do not touch wet electrical devices, outlets, cords, panels, or switches.
- - Do not re-enter while alarms, odors, sparks, smoke, water, or movement continue.
E4
Sagging Floor or Beam
Do this now
- Move people, pets, and valuables away from the sagging floor, beam, crawlspace, basement, and furniture above.
- Remove people from the area and avoid walking or placing weight over the sag.
- Close the room and move only lightweight items from safe edges.
- Photograph safely, note the time, and save temporary-material receipts.
- Call 911 for active movement, then foundation repair or a structural engineer.
Do not do this
- - Do not jack, shim, or crawl under a sagging beam during the emergency.
- - Do not re-enter while alarms, odors, sparks, smoke, water, or movement continue.
E5
Crawlspace Support Shift
Do this now
- Move people, pets, and valuables away from the crawlspace access, piers, beams, floor above, and utility lines.
- Stay out of the crawlspace and keep weight off the affected room above.
- Look for water entry from outside only and divert surface water if safe.
- Photograph safely, note the time, and save temporary-material receipts.
- Call foundation repair and mention moisture, pests, utility lines, and floor symptoms.
Do not do this
- - Do not move posts or blocks supporting the floor.
- - Do not re-enter while alarms, odors, sparks, smoke, water, or movement continue.