I've had decent luck with aluminum tags too, but sharpies do fade eventually—especially if there's constant moisture or direct sunlight. I switched to paint markers a while back, and they're holding up way better. Bit messier to write with at first, but once you get the hang of it, they're pretty solid. Might be worth giving them a shot if fading becomes an issue...
I've been down the aluminum tag route myself, but even paint markers eventually gave me trouble—probably because my basement is basically a swamp half the year. I ended up laminating little printed labels and tying them on with zip ties. Overkill? Maybe... but they're still readable after three years of moisture and accidental flashlight drops. Only downside is the printer ink smudged a bit at first, so had to let them dry completely before laminating.
I tried laminating labels too, but I felt guilty about all that plastic going into the mix. Ended up experimenting with beeswax-coated paper labels... seemed promising at first, but after a few months of damp basement air they were pretty unreadable. Maybe I didn't apply enough wax or something? Curious if anyone's found an eco-friendly labeling method that actually survives basement swamp conditions.
"Maybe I didn't apply enough wax or something?"
Could be, but honestly, beeswax might just not cut it in really damp conditions. I've been thinking about trying cork labels with a natural sealant—heard cork holds up well against moisture. Has anyone here tried cork for labeling pipes or valves? Curious if it stays readable long-term or if it just ends up moldy like everything else down there...
"Could be, but honestly, beeswax might just not cut it in really damp conditions."
Yeah, beeswax can be hit or miss down there. I've never tried cork labels myself, but I did use cork gaskets once on a job in a super damp basement. They held up surprisingly well—no mold or anything after almost two years. Cork seems naturally resistant to moisture, so labels might actually work out nicely. Worth giving it a shot, I'd say...
