I get what you mean about digital being easier. I’ve tried both, and honestly, keeping track of photos in my phone is still kind of a pain.
Maybe I’m just old school, but sometimes I just want to see a tag right there on the pipe. Has anyone had issues with QR codes fading or not scanning after a while? Just seems like another thing to maintain.“For most things, a good photo and a note in the app has worked better for me than any physical label so far.”
Title: Digital Labels vs. Good Ol’ Masking Tape
I hear you on the QR code thing. Tried it once—printed out a bunch of those little squares, stuck them on pipes in my crawlspace, felt like a tech genius for about a week. Fast forward to the next time I needed to shut off the water and half the codes had faded into oblivion. The other half were covered in dust or spider webs (nature’s original security system). Ended up crawling around with my phone flashlight, squinting at pipes, and muttering to myself like a budget Indiana Jones.
Honestly, I’ve gone back to using those old-school masking tape labels and a Sharpie. Not exactly high-tech, but at least I know what’s what when I’m upside down under the sink. Plus, if something changes, it’s easy enough to peel off and slap on a new one. No app updates required.
I get why people love digital—less clutter, everything in your pocket—but for me, there’s something reassuring about seeing “KITCHEN SINK HOT” written right there in my own chicken scratch. Maybe it’s just nostalgia for simpler times... or maybe I just don’t trust my phone not to die at the worst possible moment.
That said, if someone invents a solar-powered, indestructible QR code sticker that also repels spiders, I’ll be first in line. Until then, pass me the tape and marker.
Masking tape and a Sharpie—honestly, that’s what I see most folks stick with, even on big commercial jobs. Digital labels sound slick, but in practice, they just don’t hold up in the real world. Crawlspaces and basements are rough on anything that isn’t basically indestructible. I’ve seen QR codes peel off, fade, or get covered in grime more times than I can count.
One trick I’ve picked up is using colored electrical tape along with the labels. Red for hot, blue for cold, yellow for gas—makes it easier to spot what’s what at a glance, even if the writing gets smudged. For anything critical, I’ll use a label maker with laminated tape. Those tend to last longer than masking tape, especially if you wipe down the pipe first.
Honestly, documenting plumbing is a pain because pipes run everywhere, and half the time you’re working upside down in the dark. No perfect solution, but a mix of old-school labeling and a quick sketch or photo on your phone usually gets the job done. Just don’t trust any one method completely... redundancy saves headaches later.
That colored tape trick is a lifesaver, honestly. I’ve tried those fancy QR code stickers too, and yeah… they just end up as mystery blobs after a few months under a crawlspace. I’ve even found my own “permanent” marker labels completely gone after a year in a damp basement. It’s wild how fast stuff disappears down there. I’m with you—redundancy is the only way to keep your sanity. Sometimes I wonder if we’re just making future plumbers’ lives a little less miserable, one scribbled label at a time.
Sometimes I wonder if we’re just making future plumbers’ lives a little less miserable, one scribbled label at a time.
Honestly, half the time I think those future plumbers are just as confused as we are. I’ve tried every labeling trick in the book—paint pens, Dymo tape, even those “industrial” tags that are supposed to last forever. Give it a year in a humid crawlspace and they all look like they’ve been through a war zone.
Colored tape is solid, but even that fades or peels if you’re not careful. What’s worked best for me is pairing physical labels with a sketch or photo log. Take a picture of the setup, jot down what’s what, and stash it in a folder on your phone or computer. Not perfect, but at least when the tape turns to mush you’ve still got something to go on.
I get why people want QR codes and fancy tech, but honestly... nothing beats redundancy and good old-fashioned backup notes. If it feels like overkill, it probably means you’re doing it right.
