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uk Home & property emergencies soil washing away near foundation • soil erosion by house • erosion near retaining wall • retaining wall washout • foundation soil erosion • ground washing away after rain • sinkhole forming near house • void under patio or driveway • garden wall holding soil failing • soil disappearing by basement wall • water undermining foundation • retaining wall bulging or leaning • cracks near foundation after rain • sudden erosion next to building • accelerating soil loss at wall • washout at footing • collapse risk retaining wall • stormwater scouring near house

What to do if…
you notice soil washing away near a foundation or retaining wall and it seems to be accelerating

Short answer

Treat this like a possible structural safety issue: keep people away from the area and stop water feeding the washout (runoff/leaks) while you arrange an urgent inspection by a Chartered Structural Engineer.

Do not do these things

  • Don’t stand close to the edge of any newly formed void, soft ground, or sinkhole-like depression (it can give way suddenly).
  • Don’t try to “pack in” soil, rubble, or concrete as a quick fix (it can hide the problem and add load in the wrong place).
  • Don’t dig near the foundation/retaining wall to “see how bad it is” (you can trigger further movement).
  • Don’t pressure-wash, hose down, or otherwise add water “to clear it” or “test it”.
  • Don’t park vehicles, stack materials, or place heavy items near the affected edge or behind a retaining wall.
  • Don’t ignore new warning signs (fresh cracks, tilting, bulging, doors/windows suddenly sticking).

What to do now

  1. Create a no-go zone immediately. Keep children, pets, and everyone else away. If it’s near a path/driveway, block access and don’t drive over/near it.
  2. Check for immediate threat to life (from a distance). Examples: active collapse, rapid ground drop, a wall that looks like it could fall any moment, someone trapped, or danger to passers-by.
    • If you believe there’s an immediate threat to life or serious injury, call 999.
  3. Stop water feeding it (only if safe and simple).
    • If there’s an obvious plumbing leak (e.g., overflowing gutter/downpipe failure aimed at the washout, burst pipe), turn off the relevant supply if you know how and it’s safe.
    • If it’s rain/runoff: divert water away from the area using low-risk, temporary measures (e.g., extend a downpipe temporarily with a hose to a safer discharge point, place a tarp to shed rain away from the washout, clear a blocked gutter from the ground if you can do it safely).
    • Avoid redirecting water onto a neighbour’s property or into public areas.
  4. Document what you’re seeing before it changes. Take clear photos/video from multiple angles (include something for scale), and note the time, weather, and what changed (e.g., “gap widened since yesterday”).
  5. Arrange an urgent professional assessment.
    • Contact a Chartered Structural Engineer for an urgent inspection and say it’s “accelerating erosion/washout near a foundation/retaining wall.”
    • If a retaining wall is involved, ask them to comment specifically on drainage failure and loss of backfill and what (if anything) is safe as a temporary measure.
  6. If there’s any chance utilities are involved, keep extra distance.
    • If you smell gas or suspect a gas/CO emergency: move people away and call 0800 111 999.
    • If there’s damaged electrical equipment (e.g., damaged cabinet, exposed cables, a pole issue), keep well clear and report it. In Great Britain, call 105. (In Northern Ireland, use your electricity network operator’s emergency number.)
  7. Report it to the right place (so it can be made safe if needed).
    • Home insurer: report as potential subsidence/structural damage or retaining wall/foundation instability and ask what evidence they need.
    • Local authority: if it could affect the public, a shared boundary, or adjoining property, report it as a potentially dangerous structure. (In England & Wales, you can report a dangerous building/structure via your local council.)

What can wait

  • Choosing a permanent repair method (underpinning, wall rebuild, drainage redesign) — that comes after an engineer has assessed cause and risk.
  • Debating liability with neighbours/contractors — first make it safe and get it assessed.
  • Cosmetic repairs (repointing, patching cracks, re-laying paving) — don’t do these until the ground movement/erosion is addressed.
  • Detailed measurements — photos and a short written timeline are enough for now.

Important reassurance

It’s very common to feel a surge of panic because the ground and structure feel “non-negotiable”. You don’t have to solve it today — your job is to reduce risk, stop water making it worse, and get a qualified set of eyes on it quickly.

Scope note

These are first steps to stabilise the situation and avoid irreversible mistakes. The right fix depends on the cause (runoff, drainage failure, broken pipe, soil conditions, or wall defects) and needs professional assessment.

Important note

This is general first-step safety guidance, not engineering advice for your specific property. If you think there is immediate risk of collapse or injury, contact emergency services and keep people well away.

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