What to do if…
an exterior wall shows a new bulge or bowing section

What to do now

1. Create a no-go zone immediately. Move people and pets away from the wall, both inside and outside. Keep clear of the area below the bulge and any rooms directly beside it.
2. Check for immediate danger from a safe distance. If bricks or render are falling, the bulge is growing, you hear repeated cracking or tearing sounds, or the wall looks as if it is separating from floors, roof, or adjoining walls, leave the building and call 999.
3. If you smell gas or suspect a gas leak, treat that as a separate emergency. Get everyone into fresh air and call the National Gas Emergency Service on 0800 111 999. Open doors and windows only if you can do it immediately without delaying leaving or going near danger.
4. If you see damaged electrical cables, equipment, sparking, or a power problem linked to the damage, keep well clear. In England, Wales and Scotland, call 105 to reach the local electricity network operator. In Northern Ireland, call 03457 643643. If anyone is in immediate danger, call 999 first.
5. Take photos only from a safe place. Photograph the whole wall, the bulge, any fresh cracks inside near that wall, and any debris on the ground. Note when you first noticed it and anything recent such as heavy rain, frost, digging, impact, or building work.
6. Tell the responsible person urgently. If you rent, report it to your landlord or letting agent as an urgent structural safety concern. If it is a leasehold flat or managed block, contact the managing agent, freeholder, or building manager.
7. Arrange urgent professional assessment. Ask for a chartered structural engineer where possible. A building surveyor may also help identify the problem and escalate to a structural engineer if needed. Use clear wording such as: “There is a new exterior wall bulge or bowing section and I am worried about stability.”
8. Contact your buildings insurer or home insurer early. Tell them there is possible structural movement and ask what they need before you arrange any non-emergency repair work. Send photos if they ask for them.
9. If the wall could put the public at risk, report it to the local authority. This includes a bulge over a pavement, road, shared entrance, alley, neighbour’s land, or communal area. In England and Wales, this is usually through the local council dangerous-structure route. In Scotland, contact the local authority building standards service. In Northern Ireland, contact the local council building control route. Follow any instructions you are given.