Honestly, I get the appeal of colored tape—super simple and you can spot it from across the basement. But I’ve actually started snapping quick pics with my phone whenever I do a project. That way, if I forget what “KITCH” or “BATH” means on a pipe two years later, I’ve got a visual backup. Not saying it’s foolproof (I’ve lost photos before), but it’s saved me more than once when my handwriting made zero sense. Just another angle if you ever want a bit of tech mixed in.
HANDY SHORTCUTS FOR FINDING PLUMBING INFO QUICK
That way, if I forget what “KITCH” or “BATH” means on a pipe two years later, I’ve got a visual backup. Not saying it’s foolproof (I’ve lost photos before), but it’s saved me more than once when my handwriting made zero sense.
I get the logic of snapping pics—quick, easy, and you don’t have to rely on deciphering your own chicken scratch. But honestly, half the time I’m crawling around under the house, my phone’s either dead or I’ve left it upstairs somewhere. Murphy’s Law, right? Plus, I swear if I add one more random photo to my camera roll, I’ll never find anything again. Sorting through 300 shots of pipes and drywall just to figure out which valve goes to the guest bath? No thanks.
Colored tape still wins for me. It’s old-school, but there’s something satisfying about a neon orange strip that screams “DON’T CUT THIS.” I’ve started using different colors for hot and cold lines, and even marking shut-off valves with fluorescent green. Even my kids know what the colors mean now, which is saying something.
Not knocking the tech angle—if it works for you, go for it. But there’s a certain peace of mind in glancing at a pipe in the crawlspace and knowing instantly what it is, no phone required. Plus, tape doesn’t run out of battery or get wiped by accident during a software update.
If you’re set on using your phone, maybe try one of those note-taking apps that let you tag or label photos? That might help with the “where did that picture go” problem. But for me, give me a roll of tape and a Sharpie any day. Simple, cheap, and it sticks around longer than my memory ever will.
