Hello All
Here is some tips when searching old houses for hidden Caches.
first of all find out your legal status and agreement with the owner of the property you are going to search. No fun in being charged with trespassing or a backside full of buckshot.
Always try to work out the age of the dwelling. Certain characteristics belong to certain eras. Certain eras have events that may of been a factor in hiding items. Such as war of independence, civil war, great depression etc. Knowledge of local history and local events is a must in determining if a house a potential stash.
Roof voids
Attics are used For storage. Always look for false floors and voids above closets and false floors in attics. Different colored timber may indicate flooring in attic at one time have been disturbed. Always check any boxes, bottles or tins left in the roof.
Rooms.
Check out any wall vents. fireplaces can have a ledge in side the chimney. Toilet water cisterns may have items concealed in them, built in cupboards, kitchen cupboards. Check floorboard to see if any have been replaced some times caches are under floorboards. Check for hidden cavities or false walls in the room. A borerscope is ideal for searching cavities. Check cavities behind old staircases. If you have a moisture meter that might reveal hidden plumbing in the wall that might be in cased in a plumbing utilities cavity.Old carpet can concael money underneath. check behind medicine cabinets in bathrooms. Very old house built before 1830 they was a practice to place a coin in the wall cavity below every window for good luck. Some early new England houses may have followed that old English tradition.
Furniture:
Always check out any old furniture for hidden cavities behind drawers and closets and cupboards. Make sure there are no false bottoms. Most older writing 19th writing desks have a lot of secret compartments.Some chest of drawers can have false sides will enough of a ledge to conceal a tin of coin.
Cellar or sub floor.
Check out any items abandoned under a house or in a cellar. Always check for cavities double foundations and metal detect dirt floors of cellars.Some cellars will have drainage pits. examine any tins boxes or bottles for any goodies. Check stone or brick walls, lose bricks or patched up foundations that are out of place.
Yard:
Check out any old sheds, stables, garages standing or collapsed or exposed open foundations that may yield results.Metal detect around these might bear fruit. Check fence line around old posts, so farmers etc.. would bury stashes near a certain fence post from the barn or house etc.. Always check out old barns and wells and under porches, concealed patios of old houses. Check for any strange markings around trees etc. Check out depressions in the yard etc.
Old newspapers tells of finds in all the above mentioned areas of houses. With a bit of luck from the treasure hunting gods you might be that lucky finder.
Any other tips from you experienced cache hunters out there to add would be appreciated as It be hopeful for any one considering searching an old house.
Hardluck
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« Last Edit: March 27, 2010, 06:01:48 am by hardluck »
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