PSA: Check the roof before you explore a dead mall, not just the floor

Hit up the old Tri-County Mall in Cincinnati last Saturday. Made it past the security gate fine, got some good shots of the empty food court. On my way out, I stepped on a rotted floor tile near the old escalator and my leg went straight through. Caught myself on the railing but dropped my camera down two stories. Smashed the lens, cost me $120 to replace. Mall security heard the crash and kicked me out anyway. Anyone else deal with hidden hazards in these places?

2 comments

2 Comments

claire99211d ago

Nah I kinda get what you're saying but I think focusing on the roof is overrated honestly. Floors are way more of an immediate danger in these places, like you literally just proved. Roofs might be sketchy too but you can usually see water damage or sagging from far away. A floor tile that looks solid can be completely rotten underneath and you have zero warning until you're falling through it. Plus dropping your stuff two stories is a real kick in the wallet, not like looking up is gonna save your gear.

robin77711d ago

You say "zero warning until you're falling through it" like that's a common thing. I've been in a lot of old buildings and I can count on one hand the times I've seen a floor actually give out. Most of those tiles feel spongy or make a hollow sound before they break. Drops are annoying sure but I'd rather lose a flashlight than have half a ceiling land on my head.