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Infiltration Forums > Rookie Forum > Best way to test safety while exploring(Viewed 3364 times)
Bygone Era location:
Tucson AZ. East Coast Boy At Heart
 
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Best way to test safety while exploring
< on 9/15/2019 2:48 PM >
Posted on Forum: UER ForumQuote
Hi there guys, I’ve been recently exploring a house that has certainly been in disrepair for several decades. I’ve been just barely inside of the house and have noticed several floorboards caved in and I’m not sure how safe it is. Does anyone have a way they know to check how solid the flooring is before you step on it? I already know not everything going to work 100% of the time, but if anyone has suggestions that have worked for them, I would appreciate it.
Thanks,



-Bygone Era
blackhawk
This member has been banned. See the banlist for more information.
 
location:
Mission Control
 
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Re: Best way to test safety while exploring
<Reply # 1 on 9/15/2019 3:13 PM >
Posted on Forum: UER ForumQuote
Read this thread:
http://www.uer.ca/...=1&threadid=122644

Members here have been seriously hurt and killed in falls and collapses.
Many, myself included have narrowly escaped certain injury or death.





Just when I thought I was out... they pulled me back in.
mookster location:
Oxford, UK
 
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Re: Best way to test safety while exploring
<Reply # 2 on 9/15/2019 5:25 PM >
Posted on Forum: UER ForumQuote
There is no 100% safe way to know a floor will be safe.

Have a look at the underside of it from the floor beneath it if you can. Are the boards visibly rotten/damp? If the beams are rotten then likely the floor is seriously unstable. If the boards are showing signs of rot but the beams are alright, find the beams and stick to walking across them. If the roof/ceiling above a floor has been compromised and allowed the elements inside, then the floor is likely to not be in the best shape either.

Use your common sense, if it looks fucked, don't cross it.


[last edit 9/15/2019 5:25 PM by mookster - edited 1 times]

Bygone Era location:
Tucson AZ. East Coast Boy At Heart
 
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Re: Best way to test safety while exploring
<Reply # 3 on 9/15/2019 7:02 PM >
Posted on Forum: UER ForumQuote
The only open entrance is from the first floor, so there is no way to go into the basement that I know of yet, I also don’t know what animals might live down there so I don’t know. I’ve been using a RC Car with a live camera to try to map out the first floor, but even with that I haven’t been able to get too far before the live video starts to cut out.



-Bygone Era
Buford.B   |  | 
Re: Best way to test safety while exploring
<Reply # 4 on 9/16/2019 2:43 AM >
Posted on Forum: UER ForumQuote
Hey there Bygone Era!

I've explored quite a few abandoned homes and have certainly been in a few that were rather questionable to enter. I'm mainly a rural explorer, old farmsteads being my "thing". Below is a link to a blog page that I put together a while back (I no longer maintain it). It was a compilation of a few things that I have learnt along the way about exploring old homes. Hope it helps.

https://derelict-h...ards-of-rural.html




Xiketic location:
Bay Area, CA/ATL, GA
 
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Re: Best way to test safety while exploring
<Reply # 5 on 9/16/2019 2:56 AM >
Posted on Forum: UER ForumQuote
Send your friend in first.

In all seriousness, bring a friend along. At least if you have someone with you, if an accident does occur, you have someone that can help you or get help (don't stand on the same rotten board as them though!)

Good luck and can't wait to see pictures!



More of my photos: https://www.instagram.com/xiketic_urbex/
Xiketic location:
Bay Area, CA/ATL, GA
 
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Re: Best way to test safety while exploring
<Reply # 6 on 9/16/2019 3:01 AM >
Posted on Forum: UER ForumQuote
Posted by Buford.B
Below is a link to a blog page that I put together a while back (I no longer maintain it). It was a compilation of a few things that I have learnt along the way about exploring old homes. Hope it helps.


Buford I checked out your blog and I'm in love with your photography and writing (not to mention you gave great tips). Anywhere that you still are posting?



More of my photos: https://www.instagram.com/xiketic_urbex/
blackhawk
This member has been banned. See the banlist for more information.
 
location:
Mission Control
 
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Re: Best way to test safety while exploring
<Reply # 7 on 9/16/2019 3:04 AM >
Posted on Forum: UER ForumQuote
Posted by Xiketic
Send your friend in first.

In all seriousness, bring a friend along. At least if you have someone with you, if an accident does occur, you have someone that can help you or get help (don't stand on the same rotten board as them though!)

Good luck and can't wait to see pictures!


Or both of you will take the plunge... when in doubt, bug out.
Pain will teach you priorities... sooner or latter.



Just when I thought I was out... they pulled me back in.
Buford.B   |  | 
Re: Best way to test safety while exploring
<Reply # 8 on 9/16/2019 3:08 AM >
Posted on Forum: UER ForumQuote
Posted by Xiketic


Buford I checked out your blog and I'm in love with your photography and writing (not to mention you gave great tips). Anywhere that you still are posting?


Thanks' for the compliments. It's been a while since I've been out exploring. I post on the site below:

https://www.derelictharvest.com/



Aran location:
Kansas City
 
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Re: Best way to test safety while exploring
<Reply # 9 on 9/16/2019 7:36 PM >
Posted on Forum: UER ForumQuote
Make sure to walk over support beams if you can see where they are. Failing that, stick close to the walls. Avoid warped or dark spots on wooden and carpeted floors, as this is indicative of water damage, leading to accelerated rotting. When in doubt, test each step before putting your full weight on it. If there are large holes in the floor don't try to walk on it at all.



"Sorry, I didn't know I'm not supposed to be here," he said, knowing full well he wasn't supposed to be there.

Dee Ashley location:
DFW, Texas
 
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Re: Best way to test safety while exploring
<Reply # 10 on 9/16/2019 7:55 PM >
Posted on Forum: UER ForumQuote
There are several risk factors to consider in order to make a (little bit) more informed decision about a floor:
1. What is the material (concrete, wood, etc.); 2. How old is the structure (or more importantly, how long has the structure been neglected); 3. How far down is a potential fall (a fall from the top of a silo would probably be more more physically devastating than putting a foot through the floor of a one story farmhouse) and; 4. I try to observe the upper floors from the lower floors if possible. If there is a lot of water damage, scrapping of floor material, cave-ins, lots of wood, etc., I would want to think twice about whether or not the second story or higher is worth the risk.

- I also do my best to guess where the structural beams are located if I decide to risk walking on a sketchy floor. I try to stay within those areas.
- If possible (like with many stairways or walkways with railings), I try to always maintain three points of contact in case something does give out. If I can maintain three points of contact (same idea as with rock climbing) then there's a chance for me to possibly to catch myself as opposed to having nothing to stop me from falling except gravity.
- Avoid areas that look like they might have water damage - especially if the floor is mostly comprised of wood.
- Never assume there is flooring where it should be. In other words, never step anywhere you can't actually see the floor itself. This usually happens when your attention strays, or you make assumptions of what is underneath that pile of cardboard or whatever it may be. A lot of times debris, both intentionally placed or haphazardly so, will hide what would otherwise be an obvious spot to avoid (from what I've heard, the latter point is a particularly relevant hazard in underground mines too, btw).

These precautions are certainly not fool-proof, but I figure that they decrease the chances of serious injury or worse. Inevitably, there are lots of times when I'll decide that the floor is just too sketchy and/or not worth the risk.

Better safe than sorry!





I wandered till the stars went dim.
ryanpics location:
Central Va
 
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Re: Best way to test safety while exploring
<Reply # 11 on 9/17/2019 2:02 AM >
Posted on Forum: UER ForumQuote
Go to the weakest looking part and jump...



Resq11 location:
Manitoba
 
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Re: Best way to test safety while exploring
<Reply # 12 on 4/19/2020 5:29 PM >
Posted on Forum: UER ForumQuote
if your not sure don't go in simple. you don't want to get injured because of an abandoned house. but if you do want to go in id use "the firefighter method". the way firefighters are trained is to check what they are standing on by hitting the floor with whatever tool they have. the only problem is that it's kinda noisy id only use it if the place that your entering is far away from inhabited buildings. you need a tool with a bit of weight on the end (an axe, a garden hoe, etc) and as you enter the building you hit it against the floor (don't swing it it's a straight-up and down hit) if you're entering through a window try the window sill first and then try the floor if it doesn't feel spongy of doesn't move its probably stable. keep doing that as you move through the building and don't do it right in front of you either sorta sing it side to side. good luck.



"ghost" location:
Colorado
 
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Re: Best way to test safety while exploring
<Reply # 13 on 4/21/2020 11:15 PM >
Posted on Forum: UER ForumQuote
Along with what's already said, sometimes you can look at the ceiling above you to gauge structural integrity. If the ceiling is the same material as the floor and it's rotting in pieces, it's a pretty good bet that the ground below you is as well.



HornetWrath location:
San Antonio
 
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Re: Best way to test safety while exploring
<Reply # 14 on 8/11/2020 10:37 PM >
Posted on Forum: UER ForumQuote
Typically you'll need to scan the area with your light and do a visual inspection. Look for water damage on the roof and follow it down to the floor. Is the wood swollen and rotten? Don't try it. Especially if you're obese.

If you can't resist it? Then use common sense and tread carefully. Keep your arms out incase the floor caves in and don't put all your weight on your leading foot. Be careful and feel/listen to what the floor is telling you.

Many of us have died doing this. You know what you signed up for if you choose to keep going dangerous routes. Goodluck



I'm a lone explorer because I hate people.
randomesquephoto   |  | 
Re: Best way to test safety while exploring
<Reply # 15 on 8/14/2020 7:58 PM >
Posted on Forum: UER ForumQuote
Posted by HornetWrath
Typically you'll need to scan the area with your light and do a visual inspection. Look for water damage on the roof and follow it down to the floor. Is the wood swollen and rotten? Don't try it. Especially if you're obese.

If you can't resist it? Then use common sense and tread carefully. Keep your arms out incase the floor caves in and don't put all your weight on your leading foot. Be careful and feel/listen to what the floor is telling you.

Many of us have died doing this. You know what you signed up for if you choose to keep going dangerous routes. Goodluck




I would add, you need to have shoes with proper ankle support.



RIP Blackhawk
Infiltration Forums > Rookie Forum > Best way to test safety while exploring(Viewed 3364 times)
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