Safety card
A sagging ceiling, cracking sounds, or a wall that moved
The short answer
Get people out from under or beside it. A ceiling bulging with water can come down; cracking sounds, sudden new cracks or doors that jam all at once can mean the structure is moving.
Move people first, belongings laterIf the movement followed an earthquake, storm, fire or vehicle impact, or you smell gas, leave the building and call 911.
Know your shutoffs
Gas shutoffAt the gas meter outside (a valve on the pipe before the meter), and a smaller shutoff valve on the gas line next to each appliance.Electrical panel and main breakerThe breaker panel (or fuse box), often in a garage, basement, utility room or hallway.Main water shutoffWhere the water line enters the house: a basement or crawlspace wall, the garage, a utility closet, or near the water heater in warm climates.
Related
Written from
Original casaq guidance, updated 2026-10-05. General guidance, not a diagnosis; licensed-pro review pending. Severity levels: Emergency now / Today / This week / This month / Watch. Send a correction.
Emergency now
Part of the house may be moving
Get clear of it. Then call.
NowTodayWeekMonthWatch
Do this right now
- Get everyone out of that areaKeep people out of the room below a bulging ceiling and away from a leaning wall or chimney.
- Smell gas or see damage after a storm or quake? Leave and call 911Shut off utilities only if you can do it safely on the way out.
- Water above a bulging ceiling? Stop the water if you can reach the shutoff safelySwitch off the breaker for lights in that ceiling. Do not poke the bulge.
Call a structural engineer or your local building department before using that part of the house again. Photograph everything for your insurer.
Call 911Afterwards: a structural engineer.
casaq triage library · general guidance, not a diagnosis · licensed-pro review pendingCorrections