- Those “eco” zip ties are a joke, right? I tried them in my attic and they crumbled faster than the insulation.
- Silicone bands work, but I always lose track of which pipe is which after a few months—Sharpie fades, or maybe it’s just my memory.
- Honestly, I’ve started using old bread bag tags for labeling. Not pretty, but they survive longer than half the “green” stuff out there.
- If someone invents a tag that’s cheap, tough, and actually breaks down when you want it to... sign me up. Until then, it’s whatever’s in the junk drawer.
Bread tags are clever, but I’ve actually had them crack in the cold—maybe it’s just my luck or the brand. I get the frustration with “eco” stuff falling apart, but I’m not convinced plastic is the answer either. I started using aluminum plant markers for labeling pipes. They’re cheap, don’t fade, and you can scratch info on with a nail. Not biodegradable, but at least they last through freeze-thaw cycles and attic heat. Just a thought if you’re tired of digging through the junk drawer every time something leaks.
Aluminum plant markers—now that’s clever. I’ve tried those plastic bread tags too, and they always seem to get brittle and snap when it’s cold. I get wanting to avoid plastic, but sometimes the “eco” alternatives just don’t hold up. Have you ever had issues with the aluminum corroding over time? I wonder if there’s a coating or something that helps. I’ve also used masking tape in a pinch, but that never survives a wet basement...
I’ve actually had a few of those aluminum markers in my garden for years, and they do get a bit dull or spotty, but I haven’t seen them corrode to the point of breaking. I think if you’re in a really damp spot, clear nail polish or a spray sealant might help—just don’t use anything too thick or it’ll peel. Masking tape’s a lost cause anywhere near moisture... learned that the hard way labeling pipes in my crawlspace.
Yeah, masking tape just turns into a sticky mess in damp spots—been there. I tried using those paint pens on metal tags for my crawlspace pipes, and they’ve held up better than anything else so far. Still, nothing’s truly permanent down there... moisture finds a way.
