Question about hunting attics and basements.

[ERnurse]

My new house has a 1000 square foot basement, and about that same space in attic. We have all heard about finding coins and treasures in these places. My question is, have you used a metal detector in these places to find things under insulation, behand walls, boards, etc. I know it would depend on how wiring and such would affect it or not. But just wondering if anyone has done this. Temp here in Arkansas is below freezing now, about 17 degrees, so the ground will freeze very soon. So looking for other hunting places. Thanks.


Rob

[Buster]

I would say try the basement for sure. The walls might be a little tougher to hunt because of wire and nails...Good luck...Buster....

[Arkwater]

Try a very bright light & a keen eye (small children are really good at this)! You might be surprised at what you & they will find!

[gordiesgirl]

I would say to look for Loose bricks, Pipes and drainage systems , Under staircases, Look for any unusual markers or stones, Hope you find something. good luck.

[Dylan]

Yes! good luck! let us know if you find anything!

-Dylan

[N1TKO]

Hey Rob.... Your MD will pick up anything in the walls, so that probably wont work. If the basement is very old and has a dirt floor, you'll be good to go.
I've been in my home now for a little more than 12 years and I'm still finding stuff in the basement. No coins of any value yet, but I've found 2 very old glass insulators and an old knife switch. Up between the floor joists and over the foundation is where I found my stuff.
Good luck Pal

Jerry

[IndianaSmith]

Take a hacksaw blade & "sweep" it under baseboards that don't fit tight to old floors. Look for any openings like behind bathtub faucets or the holes cut around drain piping in the floor from below. Many old gravity (and forced-air) used the joist spaces for return air chases, and were simply covered with sheetmetal "panning" and blocked on the ends. Supply and return registers are another coin magnet, as dropped cins can roll into them, and kids like to hear things clank as they drop them in. Some older houses actually have hollow interior walls so you can look from the basement clear into the attic, some walls set on "plates" which prevent this or have fire-blocking nailed in. If you have a pinpointer you could always poke around in the insulation if you're bored....keep in mind some people have a "reaction" to insulation, especially rockwool.

Just slowy wander around room by room.....and see where you might hide something if you were the one wanting to do so.

Smitty

[rip]

Dont forget to cheak the ductwork.If there are any crawl spaces there good places to look.If you have laid stone walls in the basement you can cheak them with the detector.

[IndianaSmith]

I might also add looking behind "knee walls", I've seen several with built-in dressers or cabinets. Chimney cleanouts are another spot.

If you have a partial crawlspace, check it out as well.

I've got a fiber-optic eye (like a borescope) that is lighted on the end. It's flexible & I can snake it thru a 1/2" hole to look inside walls or anywhere you can't get a hand & mirror.

Smitty

[sandyfeet]

Dont know about basements but one of my best days huntin was under an old barn. It was on my friends property,I was helping him stack hay when I noticed a 1943 alcohol license over the door, I asked him why it was there, he said the building was once a store run by his grandfather.
I looked down at the floor and noticed the wide gaps between the boards and asked if I could crawl under with my Det. to look for coins. Got his OK and went back the next day.3 hours later I crawled out with my pocket full of walking liberty halfs and quarters,indian heads,mercs a few buffalos!!! Was a hunt Ill never forget