I’ve started taking pics too, but honestly, half the time I forget which photo goes with which spot under the house. The folder idea’s smart, though. I’ve just got a mess of random images mixed in with dog photos. Has anyone tried using those label maker things on the pipes themselves? Wondering if that holds up over time or just peels off.
Those label maker stickers are hit or miss under a house, honestly. If it gets damp down there (which it usually does), the adhesive tends to give up after a while. I’ve seen some folks use zip ties with little plastic tags—those seem to last longer and don’t peel off. Just make sure you’re not blocking any access or covering up important info on the pipes. And yeah, mixing plumbing pics with dog photos... classic move. Been there.
HANDY SHORTCUTS FOR FINDING PLUMBING INFO QUICK
Yeah, those label maker stickers are a gamble under the house. I tried them a couple years back—spent a Saturday crawling around, labeling every shutoff and cleanout I could find. Looked great for about six months, then the humidity did its thing. Half of them curled up and fell off, and the rest just turned into sticky messes that attracted dust and spiderwebs. Not my proudest DIY moment.
I switched to the zip tie tags too, but I’ll admit I was cheap about it. Instead of buying the actual plastic tags, I cut up some old yogurt lids and punched holes in them. Sharpie holds up surprisingly well if you write big and bold. Not the prettiest solution, but it’s been a couple years and they’re still readable. Plus, if one cracks or gets lost, it’s basically free to replace.
One thing I learned the hard way—don’t use anything paper-based, even if it’s “weatherproof.” That stuff just turns to mush. And yeah, definitely double-check you’re not covering any manufacturer info or inspection stickers. I had to peel one off a water heater pipe when the inspector came by... awkward.
Mixing plumbing photos with dog pics is basically a rite of passage. My phone is full of blurry shots of pipes and then suddenly there’s my beagle looking confused in the crawlspace. At least it makes scrolling back through to find that one valve a little more entertaining.
Anyway, it’s all trial and error. If you find something that actually survives more than a year down there, you’re ahead of the game in my book.
HANDY SHORTCUTS FOR FINDING PLUMBING INFO QUICK
That yogurt lid trick is genius—I’ve just been using those cheap plastic plant tags from the garden center, but they get brittle after a while. Never thought to just raid the recycling bin. And yeah, humidity is the enemy down there. I tried duct tape labels once and they basically turned into a sticky gray blob. Also, my phone’s camera roll is 90% pipes, 10% my cat photobombing. Guess it’s a universal DIY thing.
HANDY SHORTCUTS FOR FINDING PLUMBING INFO QUICK
Those plant tags never lasted for me either—humidity just eats them up. I’ve seen folks use painter’s tape and a Sharpie, but that stuff peels off after a few months in a damp crawlspace. Yogurt lids are clever, though. I usually just scratch notes right onto the pipe with a marker if it’s PVC, or use those metal tag wires for copper lines. Not pretty, but they stick around.
Curious if anyone’s tried those label makers with the plastic tape? I’ve had mixed luck—sometimes the adhesive holds, sometimes not so much, especially near hot water lines. Wondering if there’s a trick to making those last longer in rough spots...
