Paint pens are great, but I’ve had mixed luck with them on old, rusty pipes—sometimes the marking just flakes off over time. Colored zip ties have been my go-to for years, especially when you’re crawling around in a tight spot and need to ID something fast. Tried sticking printed labels once… total waste. They peeled off after a couple damp months. Simple always seems to last longer in those environments.
I get the appeal of zip ties—super quick and you can spot them in a pinch. But I’ve actually had a few snap on me after a couple years, especially in spots that get hot or are exposed to sunlight. What’s worked for me is wrapping a bit of colored electrical tape around the pipe, then jotting a code or number on it with a Sharpie. It’s not fancy, but it’s cheap and holds up better than I expected, even in damp crawlspaces. Not perfect, but worth a shot if you’re watching the budget.
I get the appeal of zip ties—super quick and you can spot them in a pinch.
- Love the idea of electrical tape—never thought to just write right on it.
- I do worry about the plastic waste with zip ties, especially when they get brittle and snap like you mentioned.
- Have you noticed if the tape leaves any sticky residue after a few years? I had duct tape gunk up a copper pipe once and it was a pain to clean off.
- Curious if anyone’s tried those reusable velcro straps for labeling? Wondering if they’d hold up in damp spots or just get gross.
Honestly, I’ve never had much luck with those velcro straps in wet spaces—they tend to soak up moisture and get a bit grimy over time. As for electrical tape, it does leave some residue if you leave it on for years, especially in warm spots, but nothing like duct tape gunk. If you’re worried about waste, there are reusable silicone ties now—more expensive up front, but they last way longer and don’t snap like zip ties do. Just my two cents...
“there are reusable silicone ties now—more expensive up front, but they last way longer and don’t snap like zip ties do.”
I tried those silicone ties last year for some pipes in my basement. They’re definitely sturdier than velcro, but I found them a bit slippery when things got damp. Maybe it’s just my old hands, but I still end up reaching for zip ties and just snipping them off when needed. Not the greenest option, but at least I know they’ll hold. I do agree about electrical tape—had to scrape off sticky residue from a valve once, not fun.