Those zip ties are handy for a quick ID, but I’ve had them get brittle and snap off over time—especially in a hot basement. I get the appeal though, way easier than crawling around with a label maker. Honestly, I’m a fan of just using a paint pen right on the pipe. Not pretty, but it sticks around, and nobody can claim they didn’t see it. As for other folks ignoring the system, that’s just the nature of the beast. Had a guy once who relabeled everything his own way, and it was a mess to sort out later. I guess as long as you’ve got some kind of system, you’re ahead of the game, but it’s never truly foolproof.
I’ve definitely run into the zip tie issue, especially in older basements where the heat and humidity just chew up anything plastic. I’ve even seen them crumble in my hand after a couple years, which is always a fun surprise when you’re tracing lines and suddenly the “hot water return” tag is just... gone. The paint pen trick is a classic, though. I’ve used it on more than a few jobs, and you’re right—no one can claim they missed a giant white “ZONE 2” scrawled across the copper.
Had a guy once who relabeled everything his own way, and it was a mess to sort out later.
That’s the part that gets me every time. You spend all this effort making things clear, and then someone comes in and decides their system is better. I had a job where the previous tech labeled everything with initials—just “HWR” or “DHW”—but didn’t leave a legend anywhere. Took me an hour just to figure out what was what. Ever run into folks who use color codes instead of words? I’ve seen electrical tape wrapped around pipes in different colors, but unless everyone’s on the same page, it’s just another puzzle.
I’m curious—anyone ever try those metal tag systems? The ones you crimp on with a little punch? I’ve only used them on commercial jobs, but I wonder if they’d hold up better in a residential boiler room. They’re not cheap, but at least they don’t melt or fade. Or maybe that’s overkill for a home setup... Hard to say where the line is between “organized” and “paranoid,” especially when you’re the only one who’ll see it most of the time.
Funny thing is, no matter what system you use, there’s always that moment years later when you’re staring at a pipe thinking, “What was I thinking here?” Maybe that’s just the nature of the beast, like you said.
Tried those metal tags once—honestly, they’re pretty much bombproof, but I felt a bit ridiculous crimping them onto half-inch copper in someone’s laundry room. They’ll outlast the boiler, though. I still end up scribbling on pipes with a marker out of habit. Color codes just confuse me unless there’s a chart taped nearby... and even then, nobody updates it.
I totally get the marker thing—way easier in the moment, especially when you’re just trying to keep track of what’s what. I tried color tape once, but after a year it peeled off and made a mess. If I had to do it again, I’d probably just stick with a sharpie and maybe snap a photo for reference. Those tags look pro, but honestly, nobody’s checking them except me.
Those tags look pro, but honestly, nobody’s checking them except me.
That’s exactly why I stopped bothering with the fancy stuff. I get wanting things to look organized, but if it’s just you, is it really worth the extra plastic and waste? Sharpie’s not perfect, but at least it’s low-impact. Ever tried those reusable silicone bands? I’m skeptical they’d hold up, but maybe better than tape gunk everywhere...
