Totally relate to the digital folder thing. I used to scribble notes on scrap paper and then, of course, lose them in the garage abyss. Now I've got a random album on my phone called "Stuff Behind Walls"—not the most creative, but it’s saved me more than once. I do wish I’d started sooner, though. Last winter, I spent half an afternoon poking around for a shutoff because past-me thought “I’ll remember where it is.” Spoiler: I didn’t. Less demo means less landfill trips, and my back says thank you.
Last winter, I spent half an afternoon poking around for a shutoff because past-me thought “I’ll remember where it is.” Spoiler: I didn’t.
Been there, done that—except mine was the main water line, and I ended up crawling under the porch in the rain. Honestly, I’m not convinced digital folders are foolproof either, but at least they’re better than my old method (which was basically “hope for the best”). I started snapping pics with a tape measure in the shot for scale, which helps more than I expected. Still, I wish builders would just label stuff in the first place...
