Engraving's a neat idea, but doesn't that risk weakening the pipe over time? I've had decent luck with clear heat-shrink tubing over labels—protects them from scratches, and they're still readable years later. Curious if anyone else tried it...
"I've had decent luck with clear heat-shrink tubing over labels—protects them from scratches, and they're still readable years later."
That's actually a pretty clever approach. I've used clear heat-shrink tubing myself on electrical cables, but never thought to try it on plumbing lines. Makes sense though, especially if you're labeling shut-off valves or critical junctions that you might need to identify quickly in an emergency.
About engraving pipes—I agree, it does seem like it could potentially weaken the pipe, especially if you're dealing with thinner-walled copper or PVC. Probably not a huge issue if you're careful and don't go too deep, but personally I'd rather not risk it. Plus, if you're working in tight spaces or awkward angles (which seems to be the norm for plumbing repairs), engraving neatly can be a pain.
One thing I've done that's worked well is using aluminum tags stamped with numbers or short codes. You can attach them with zip ties or stainless steel wire loops. They're durable, corrosion-resistant, and easy enough to read even after years of grime buildup. And unlike labels or tape, they don't peel off or fade over time. The only downside is that you have to keep a separate reference list somewhere handy—but that's easy enough to manage on your phone or taped inside a cabinet door.
Another quick tip: I've seen folks use colored zip ties as visual indicators for hot/cold lines or specific zones. It's not detailed info, but it can save you valuable seconds when you're scrambling to shut something down fast.
Anyway, thanks for the heat-shrink tubing idea—might give that a shot next time I'm labeling something important.
"One thing I've done that's worked well is using aluminum tags stamped with numbers or short codes."
Yeah, those tags are great—I started using them after my DIY labeled pipes turned into mystery lines over the years. The heat-shrink tubing trick is clever too, might try that next time I'm under the sink... assuming I remember where I put my heat gun. Colored zip ties are good in theory, but half the time I forget what the colors meant!
The heat-shrink tubing trick is clever too, might try that next time I'm under the sink... assuming I remember where I put my heat gun.
I've tried aluminum tags too, they're solid but honestly prefer something biodegradable. Ended up writing directly on pipes with a paint marker—lasts surprisingly long, no guessing colors or losing tools... just my two cents.
Paint markers are decent, but honestly, I've found a simple sharpie works just fine. Here's what I usually do: quick wipe-down of the pipe, scribble the info directly on there, then wrap clear packing tape over it. Lasts forever, costs next to nothing, and no hunting around for special tools or tags. Plus, if you mess up or things change later, just peel off the tape and redo it... easy enough even for tenants to handle.
