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us Home & property emergencies soil washing away near foundation • erosion next to house • retaining wall soil loss • foundation undermined by water • washout near basement wall • sinkhole near home • void under driveway or slab • retaining wall leaning or bulging • sudden ground settlement by house • storm runoff scouring yard • soil disappearing after rain • erosion around footing • foundation cracks after heavy rain • accelerating erosion at wall • possible retaining wall collapse • water pooling by foundation • washout near garage slab • hillside erosion 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

Assume there’s a real collapse risk: keep everyone away from the area, reduce water driving the erosion, and get an urgent inspection by a licensed structural engineer (and involve your insurer early).

Do not do these things

  • Don’t step near the edge of a new void/soft spot/sinkhole-like depression (the ground can cave in without warning).
  • Don’t dig to “check how deep it goes” or remove more soil near the wall/foundation.
  • Don’t backfill with soil, gravel, or concrete as a quick fix (it can add load, hide voids, and complicate proper repair).
  • Don’t run hoses, pressure-wash, or otherwise add water to the area.
  • Don’t park vehicles or store heavy items near the undermined zone or behind the retaining wall.
  • Don’t start repair work that involves excavation until utilities are located and a professional has assessed the risk.

What to do now

  1. Set a hard boundary around the area. Keep people, pets, and vehicles away. If it’s near a walkway/driveway, block access and don’t drive over or next to it.
  2. Scan for immediate danger signs (from a distance): retaining wall leaning/bulging, fresh widening cracks, sudden drops/settlement, hollow-sounding slabs, or water actively carrying soil.
    • If you think collapse could happen soon or someone could be hurt, call 911.
  3. Cut off the water feeding the washout (only if safe and obvious).
    • If a downspout is dumping water there, redirect it (temporary extension to a safer discharge point).
    • If a sprinkler/irrigation line might be involved, turn that zone off.
    • If you suspect a plumbing leak but aren’t sure, stop using water in that area and arrange urgent plumbing help.
  4. Capture evidence before it changes. Take photos/video from several angles with a size reference, and write a simple timeline (when noticed, how fast changing, rainfall/irrigation events).
  5. Get an urgent professional assessment.
    • Call a licensed structural engineer (and/or geotechnical engineer) and describe it as “accelerating erosion undermining a foundation/retaining wall.”
    • If the wall supports a slope or driveway, tell them what’s above/below it and whether it’s near a property line.
  6. Call your homeowners insurance promptly. Report it as potential structural/foundation/retaining wall instability and ask what documentation they want and whether they have preferred engineers/contractors.
  7. Protect yourself from utility strikes before any digging.
    • Before any digging or contractor excavation, contact 811 (“Call Before You Dig”) so underground utilities can be located/marked.
  8. Notify local authorities if there’s public risk or shared structures.
    • If the problem affects a public sidewalk/road, or a shared/boundary retaining wall, contact your city/county building department (and/or public works) to report a potentially unsafe condition.

What can wait

  • Picking the permanent fix (rebuild, anchors, drainage rebuild, underpinning) — that decision belongs after engineering assessment.
  • Arguing fault or cost-sharing — focus first on safety and stopping further erosion.
  • Cosmetic repairs (crack patching, re-leveling pavers/slabs) — don’t do these until the underlying cause is addressed.
  • Detailed measurements — a clear photo record and a short timeline are enough for now.

Important reassurance

This is scary because it feels sudden and irreversible — but you can meaningfully reduce risk quickly by keeping clear of the area, removing water as the driver, and getting the right professional involved. You don’t need to diagnose the cause yourself.

Scope note

These are first steps only. The correct repair depends on what’s driving the erosion (runoff, drainage failure, broken lines, soil conditions, or wall defects) and requires on-site professional evaluation.

Important note

This is general safety guidance, not engineering advice for your specific property. If there’s any immediate risk of collapse or injury, call emergency services and keep people well away.

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