name: panic-room-finder
description: Expert in residential hollow space detection, hidden room discovery, and safe room planning. Helps map house dimensions, identify anomalies suggesting hidden spaces, and safely explore potential voids. Knowledge of architectural history, construction methods, and non-destructive investigation techniques. Activate on "panic room", "hidden room", "secret room", "hollow space", "house mapping", "find hidden space", "room dimensions", "hidden door", "false wall", "priest hole", "prohibition era", "safe room". NOT for illegal entry, structural modifications without permits, or bypassing security systems.
allowed-tools: Read,Write,Edit,Bash,WebFetch
category: Lifestyle & Personal
tags:
- hidden-rooms
- architecture
- investigation
- safe-room
- mapping
pairs-with:
- skill: interior-design-expert
reason: Integrate hidden spaces into design
- skill: diagramming-expert
reason: Map discovered spaces

Panic Room Finder

Discover the hidden spaces in your home through systematic mapping, dimension analysis, and non-destructive investigation.

When to Use This Skill

Use for:
- Mapping house dimensions room-by-room
- Identifying discrepancies suggesting hollow spaces
- Understanding historical hidden space patterns
- Non-destructive investigation techniques
- Safe room planning and conversion
- Exploring potential access points

NOT for:
- Illegal entry or trespassing
- Bypassing security systems
- Structural modifications without permits
- Anything that compromises home safety
- Breaking into spaces in rental properties without owner permission

The Discovery Framework

┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│                    HOLLOW SPACE DISCOVERY FLOW                   │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│                                                                  │
│  1. DOCUMENT          2. MEASURE           3. COMPARE            │
│  ├─ Blueprints        ├─ Room-by-room      ├─ Floor plan vs.    │
│  ├─ Building history  ├─ Floor to floor    │  actual dims       │
│  ├─ Age/era           ├─ Wall thickness    ├─ Room totals vs.   │
│  └─ Previous owners   └─ Closet depths     │  exterior          │
│                                                                  │
│  4. IDENTIFY          5. INVESTIGATE       6. ACCESS            │
│  ├─ Anomalies         ├─ Non-destructive   ├─ Find entry        │
│  ├─ Unusual walls     ├─ Acoustic test     ├─ Mechanical        │
│  ├─ Odd closets       ├─ Visual inspection │  triggers          │
│  └─ Stair gaps        └─ Camera scope      └─ Safe opening      │
│                                                                  │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

Historical Hidden Space Types

By Era

COLONIAL ERA (1600s-1800s):
├── Priest holes (religious hiding)
├── Slave passage rooms (Underground Railroad)
├── Root cellars with hidden sections
├── False chimney breasts
└── Hidden attic spaces

VICTORIAN ERA (1837-1901):
├── Servant passages between walls
├── Hidden butler's pantries
├── False walls in grand staircases
├── Hidden safes behind panels
└── Speaking tubes with hidden terminals

PROHIBITION ERA (1920-1933):
├── Speakeasy access tunnels
├── Hidden bars behind bookcases
├── False floor compartments
├── Basement hidden rooms
└── Garage false walls

MID-CENTURY (1940s-1960s):
├── Cold War fallout shelters
├── Basement bomb shelters
├── Hidden passages in large homes
├── False wall safes
└── Converted coal storage

MODERN ERA (1970s+):
├── Safe rooms (security)
├── Hidden gun safes
├── Converted closet spaces
├── Basement vault rooms
└── Custom hidden doors

By House Type

OLDER HOMES (pre-1950):
├── More likely to have organic hidden spaces
├── Multiple renovation layers
├── Unusual floor plans from additions
├── Thick walls with potential voids
├── Servants' quarters/passages

LARGE ESTATES:
├── Purpose-built hidden rooms
├── Panic rooms in master suites
├── Wine cellars with hidden sections
├── Basement vault rooms
└── Tunnel systems to outbuildings

URBAN ROWHOUSES:
├── Shared wall anomalies
├── Basement connections
├── Attic spaces across units
├── Coal chute conversions
└── Back stair hiding spaces

SUBURBAN HOMES:
├── Basement safe rooms
├── Under-stair storage (deeper than expected)
├── Garage hidden compartments
├── Attic access panels to hidden space
└── Crawl space extensions

The Mapping Process

Step 1: Gather Documentation

DOCUMENTS TO FIND:
├── Original blueprints (check county records)
├── Building permits (all renovations)
├── Survey maps (property lines, structures)
├── Previous listing photos (real estate archives)
├── Insurance inspection records
└── Historical society records (for older homes)

WHERE TO LOOK:
├── County recorder's office
├── Local building department
├── Historical society
├── Previous owner records
├── Original builder/architect (if known)
└── Realtor's historical files

Step 2: Room-by-Room Measurement

MEASURING PROTOCOL:

TOOLS NEEDED:
├── Laser distance measurer (highly recommended)
├── Standard tape measure (backup)
├── Graph paper (1/4" grid)
├── Smartphone (photos, notes)
└── Level (for checking true walls)

MEASUREMENT APPROACH:
├── Start from exterior walls (measure outside perimeter)
├── Measure each room interior
├── Measure wall thicknesses at doorways
├── Note ceiling heights per room
├── Measure closet depths especially
└── Record unusual features (alcoves, bumps, niches)

FORMULA:
Exterior perimeter area MINUS sum of interior room areas
= Total wall/void space

If this number is significantly larger than expected
for wall thickness (typically 4-8" per wall),
you may have hidden space.

Step 3: Floor-to-Floor Analysis

VERTICAL DISCREPANCIES:

Check for:
├── Floor height differences between rooms
├── Ceiling height vs. floor above
├── Stair landing positions vs. expected floor levels
├── Basement ceiling vs. first floor
└── Attic floor vs. rooms below

RED FLAGS:
├── "Lost" height between floors (2+ feet unexplained)
├── Stairs that should arrive somewhere but don't
├── Rooms that are shorter than adjacent rooms
├── Attic space that doesn't extend over whole house
└── Basement that doesn't extend under entire first floor

Identifying Anomalies

Visual Indicators

WALL CLUES:
├── Wall that sounds different when knocked (hollow vs. solid)
├── Trim or molding that doesn't match rest of house
├── Paint that doesn't quite match (newer patch)
├── Outlet plates at unusual heights
├── Baseboards that don't align with rest of room
├── Wallpaper seams in unexpected places
└── Door that opens to unexpected small space

FLOOR CLUES:
├── Flooring that doesn't match pattern
├── Areas that sound hollow when walked on
├── Unusual wear patterns to non-functional spot
├── Carpeting that's newer in one section
├── Floor register that doesn't connect to HVAC
└── Trapdoor-like cuts in hardwood

CEILING CLUES:
├── Attic access panels in unusual locations
├── Ceiling height changes within room
├── Crown molding that stops unexpectedly
├── Light fixtures in odd positions
├── Texture changes in ceiling
└── Evidence of patched openings

Mechanical Indicators

THINGS THAT MIGHT BE TRIGGERS:
├── Bookcases that seem heavier than expected
├── Wall sconces that don't work
├── Decorative panels that seem functional
├── Built-in cabinets with unusual depth
├── Fireplaces with odd proportions
├── Mirror frames that seem attached unusually
├── Light switches that don't control anything
└── Door frames with hidden hinges

COMMON HIDDEN DOOR MECHANISMS:
├── Push-release latches (push to open)
├── Hidden lever in adjacent object
├── Magnetic releases (strong magnet needed)
├── Remote control systems
├── Biometric locks (newer)
├── Book-pull releases (classic)
└── Light switch combinations

Non-Destructive Investigation

Acoustic Testing

THE KNOCK TEST:

1. Use knuckle or small rubber mallet
2. Knock systematically across wall surface
3. Listen for changes in sound:
   ├── Solid: dull thud
   ├── Stud: slightly different thud (every 16")
   ├── Hollow: distinct hollow sound
   └── Void: VERY hollow, almost drum-like

4. Mark suspicious areas with painter's tape
5. Map the hollow-sounding zones
6. Compare to expected wall construction

Electronic Detection

STUD FINDER (with limitations):
├── Can detect studs and sometimes wires
├── May show unusual spacing or gaps
├── Deep-scanning models better for this
└── Won't reveal what's in a void

THERMAL CAMERA:
├── May show temperature differences
├── Hidden rooms might be unconditioned (different temp)
├── Can reveal hidden ductwork or lack thereof
└── Smartphone attachments available (FLIR, etc.)

BORESCOPE/ENDOSCOPE:
├── Tiny camera on flexible cable
├── Insert through small drilled hole
├── See inside wall cavity
├── $20-100 USB versions work for most uses
├── Only use if you're VERY confident there's something
└── CAREFUL: This is minimally destructive

MOISTURE METER:
├── Can detect unusual moisture patterns
├── Hidden rooms without HVAC may be damper
├── Also useful for finding water damage

Visual Inspection Points

CHECK THESE ACCESS POINTS:
├── Attic: look for unused space, false floors
├── Basement: look for unusual walls, false ceilings
├── Utility closets: often hide access
├── Under stairs: classic hiding spot
├── Walk-in closets: check depth vs. adjacent room
├── Behind large mirrors: especially built-ins
└── Inside large cabinets: check for false backs

Safe Opening Procedures

When You Find a Hidden Space

BEFORE OPENING:

1. ASSESS SAFETY
   ├── Is the structure sound?
   ├── Any signs of current use? (fresh locks, etc.)
   ├── Any electrical/utility concerns?
   └── Any reason to involve professionals?

2. DOCUMENT
   ├── Photo everything before touching
   ├── Note the mechanism details
   ├── Record location precisely
   └── Video the opening process

3. VENTILATION CHECK
   ├── Sealed spaces may have poor air
   ├── Have someone with you
   ├── Open slowly, let air exchange
   └── Don't enter immediately if sealed for long time

4. PROCEED CAREFULLY
   ├── Use flashlight first (don't enter)
   ├── Check for stability of floor/structure
   ├── Look for animal/pest evidence
   └── No rushing—this space isn't going anywhere

What You Might Find

COMMON DISCOVERIES:
├── Empty space (most common)
├── Old storage (forgotten items)
├── Previous owner's hidden stash
├── Historical artifacts
├── Old newspapers/letters (insulation era)
├── Evidence of previous use (Prohibition, WWII)
├── Animal nests (abandoned space)
└── Outdated utility equipment

RARE BUT POSSIBLE:
├── Valuable items left behind
├── Historical significance
├── Structural concerns (why it was sealed)
└── Evidence of concerning activity (call authorities)

IF YOU FIND ANYTHING CONCERNING:
├── Do not disturb
├── Document with photos
├── Contact appropriate authorities
└── Wait for professional guidance

Converting to a Safe Room

If You Want to Create a Panic Room

IDEAL SAFE ROOM FEATURES:
├── Solid core door (or reinforced)
├── Door frame reinforcement
├── Secondary lock system (interior)
├── Communication (cell phone, landline, intercom)
├── Emergency supplies (water, first aid)
├── Battery backup for lights
├── Ventilation (passive or emergency)
└── Comfortable waiting capacity

LOCATION PRIORITIES:
├── Near bedrooms (accessible during home invasion)
├── Cell phone signal availability
├── Away from exterior walls (if possible)
├── Not obvious location (closet within bedroom)
└── Accessible to all family members

DIY VS. PROFESSIONAL:
├── Basic: reinforced closet (DIY possible)
├── Moderate: dedicated room conversion (contractor)
├── Advanced: purpose-built room (security specialist)
└── Always consult local building codes

Mapping Template

Room-by-Room Recording Sheet

ROOM: _______________
FLOOR: _______________

DIMENSIONS:
├── Length: _____ ft _____ in
├── Width: _____ ft _____ in
├── Height: _____ ft _____ in
└── Area: _____ sq ft

WALL THICKNESSES:
├── North wall: _____ in
├── South wall: _____ in
├── East wall: _____ in
└── West wall: _____ in

ANOMALIES NOTED:
├── Sound test results: _____________
├── Visual irregularities: _____________
├── Dimension discrepancies: _____________
└── Notes: _____________

ADJACENT SPACES:
├── Room to north: _______________
├── Room to south: _______________
├── Room to east: _______________
├── Room to west: _______________
├── Above: _______________
└── Below: _______________

Anti-Patterns

"Knocking Is Enough"

Wrong: Only doing the knock test and concluding.
Why: Many factors affect wall sound; need multiple methods.
Right: Combine knock test + measurements + visual inspection.

"Breaking Through"

Wrong: Making holes to investigate.
Why: Destructive, may damage hidden room, hard to repair.
Right: Use borescope only after exhausting other methods.

"Ignoring Safety"

Wrong: Entering a sealed space immediately.
Why: Air quality, structural stability, unknown hazards.
Right: Ventilate, document, assess before entering.

"Not Documenting"

Wrong: Just exploring without recording.
Why: You may forget details, lose evidence of discovery.
Right: Photos, videos, measurements before and during.

Integration Points

• diagramming-expert: Creating floor plans of findings
• interior-design-expert: Converting found space
• drone-cv-expert: Exterior mapping for discrepancy detection

Core Philosophy: Hidden spaces tell stories. Whether your house was a stop on the Underground Railroad, a Prohibition speakeasy, or just had an eccentric previous owner, the architecture remembers. Your job is to be a detective—patient, methodical, and respectful of what you might find.

Every hollow knock is a question. Take your time finding the answers.