forums
new posts
donate
UER Store
events
location db
db map
search
members
faq
terms of service
privacy policy
register
login




UER Forum > Archived Rookie Forum > Suggestions on exploring small abandoned houses? (Viewed 608 times)
gingerkham 






Send Private Message | Send Email
Suggestions on exploring small abandoned houses?
< on 4/7/2013 8:11 PM >
Posted on Forum: Infiltration Forums
 
So, this week I'm delving back into my hobby since its warmer and I have a question. Does anyone have suggestions on exploring small abandoned houses? Most of the places I have explored in the past have been with permission or larger sites with groups of people. This will be my first official small house exploration. There are rows and rows of houses that are abandoned down the street from me. Very few houses on the road are occupied and some are in extremely deteriorating conditions.

DawnPatrol 


Gender: Female




Send Private Message | Send Email | Flickr
Re: Suggestions on exploring small abandoned houses?
<Reply # 1 on 4/7/2013 11:35 PM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
I've explored a couple houses on my own. I did that before I went to any larger locations. The only real suggestion I can make applies to any situation: be prepared. There's always the chance of someone still living in the house that won't be too happy upon your arrival. Also, if you're going alone it's also much more important to make sure you have a working phone. Personally, houses make me more uneasy because they seem less stable and when there's carpeting it can be more difficult for me to judge the stability of the floors. So I also suggest you pay particular attention to where you're stepping unless you're only going into more recently abandoned ones. Good luck!

Intrinsic 


Location: Collingwood
Gender: Male




Send Private Message | Send Email
Re: Suggestions on exploring small abandoned houses?
<Reply # 2 on 4/8/2013 12:29 AM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
Check the hydro meter. If the actual glass piece has been removed, leaving only the metal box and an empty hole then there is no electricity to the home. If you do see the glass meter device, you may check it to see if the analog piece is spinning.

For the newer digital ones you will want to see if there is any power usage on the display.

Other common sense caution indicators such as blue boxes on the curb, garbage bags in the garbage, cut grass.

Park down the street, not in someone's driveway where you're announcing your arrival to any curious eyes.
[last edit 4/8/2013 12:30 AM by Intrinsic - edited 1 times]

gingerkham 






Send Private Message | Send Email
Re: Suggestions on exploring small abandoned houses?
<Reply # 3 on 4/8/2013 5:49 PM >
Posted on Forum: Infiltration Forums
 
Thanks for the advice.. I will be walking so I won't have to worry about a car being seen or anything. I'll have a lookout with me but no one to actually go in with. I know that the floors in a couple of houses looked sturdy as i could tell, but not the roofs.. In fact one of them looked like it was caving in the middle, but the other area looked unaffected. I never thought to check the hydro meter.

Jennasaurus Rex 


Location: East Texas
Gender: Female


RAWR

Send Private Message | Send Email
Re: Suggestions on exploring small abandoned houses?
<Reply # 4 on 4/8/2013 6:22 PM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
I much prefer the small abandonments... I live out in the sticks; pick a road and you will find a few dozen abandoned houses within a matter or miles...

Although, there have been some I was SURE were abandoned, broken windows, roof caving in and totally overgrown, and upon getting a tad closer realized someone was living (squatting?) there...

Good luck & have fun!!!

8-)

XOXO!!!

Jenni
Acadian 


Location: Hamilton, Ontario
Gender: Male


Diggin' Holes

Send Private Message | Send Email
Re: Suggestions on exploring small abandoned houses?
<Reply # 5 on 4/18/2013 8:18 AM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
Don't feel that you have to actually enter a house/bldg, even if a POE is right there infront of you like a big barn door.

If the house does not look structurally sound enough to enter then just go with exterior photos and call it a day. Only you can decide if you are comfortable with entering a location that you know might not be entirely stable.

As others have mentioned and if possible, let others know where you are going and keep a cellphone with you just incase.







Tom133t 






Send Private Message | Send Email
Re: Suggestions on exploring small abandoned houses?
<Reply # 6 on 4/18/2013 4:03 PM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
I live in a part of Florida that has been hit particularly hard by the housing market's collapse. Probably about half of the houses around here are vacant. However, they're sealed up, boring, bank-owned houses that have all been built within the last twenty years, if not the last ten. There's very little reward, and way too much risk. I've been stopped by the cops and accused of breaking into houses even when I wasn't on a UE outing - just walking down the street - so you've got to be careful about that too. And of course, make sure it's actually abandoned. If somebody is home, they might shoot you. I know I'd shoot somebody breaking into my house wearing urbex gear XD

Truffles Oblongata 






Send Private Message | Send Email
Re: Suggestions on exploring small abandoned houses?
<Reply # 7 on 4/23/2013 2:48 AM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
I started out with abandoned houses and that's what I still do most. It's fun and they're relatively easy to find and explore.

Before you go in, make sure that it really is abandoned. Walk past sometimes while on your way to other places, discreetely look around it to check if there are any people around (this also helps you find possible entrances and exits), and then go in. While you're there, keep your eyes and ears open. If you see any signs of recent habitation or that anything is off (weird noises, weird smells, food cans and mattresses that don't have the dust of years on them...) get out or proceed with lots of caution.

Also, watch your step. Even if there are no signs of obvious damage, like roofs or walls falling apart, wooden stairs and floors that aren't taken care of can collapse.

If you can, take a friend with you or let someone you trust know where you're going and what time you expect to be back.


UER Forum > Archived Rookie Forum > Suggestions on exploring small abandoned houses? (Viewed 608 times)



All content and images copyright © 2002-2024 UER.CA and respective creators. Graphical Design by Crossfire.
To contact webmaster, or click to email with problems or other questions about this site: UER CONTACT
View Terms of Service | View Privacy Policy | Server colocation provided by Beanfield
This page was generated for you in 78 milliseconds. Since June 23, 2002, a total of 737123271 pages have been generated.