Tried the plant tags last year, and honestly, they got brittle and snapped off after one winter. The grime was a real issue too—couldn’t read half of them by spring. What’s worked better for me is those aluminum tags you can write on with a ballpoint pen. Not fancy, but they don’t peel or fade, and you can actually read them later. I do agree, though, the code thing is tricky... I started jotting a quick “legend” on a piece of duct tape stuck to the inside of the crawlspace door. Not perfect, but at least I don’t have to guess what “H2” means anymore.
That duct tape legend idea is actually pretty clever. I’ve been in the same boat—tried those plastic tags, and by spring they were either cracked or buried in mud. I switched to painter’s tape and a Sharpie for a while, but that faded too fast. Aluminum tags sound sturdier, might give those a shot. The code thing drives me nuts too... I once labeled a valve “BATH” and six months later had no clue if I meant bathroom or bathtub. At least you’ve got a system that works for you, even if it’s not perfect. Sometimes “good enough” is the best you can do with this stuff.
I’ve had the same problem with labels fading or just vanishing over time. What’s worked for me is using those aluminum tags, but I also jot down a quick “map” in a notebook—nothing fancy, just a rough sketch of where each valve is and what it controls. That way, even if the tag disappears, I can cross-check. Ever tried color-coding pipes or valves? I’ve thought about it but never actually committed. Wondering if it’s worth the effort or just another thing to maintain.
Ever tried color-coding pipes or valves? I’ve thought about it but never actually committed. Wondering if it’s worth the effort or just another thing to maintain.
Honestly, I tried color-coding once and it turned into a bit of a circus. The tape peeled, the markers faded, and I ended up with a rainbow mess that confused me more than it helped. I get the appeal, but for me, less is more—just a pencil sketch and some recycled cardboard tags. At least if those disappear, I don’t feel guilty about the waste.
Never had much luck with color-coding either—tape never sticks long-term, and paint just gets scratched up. I usually just jot down a quick diagram and keep it in the toolbox. Curious if anyone’s tried those QR code stickers? I’ve seen them around, supposedly you scan and get all your notes or diagrams on your phone. Seems a bit high-tech for plumbing, but maybe it’s catching on...
