"even a rough sketch or a quick note like 'hot line left, cold right' can save hours of frustration later."
Haha, learned that one the hard way last summer. Thought I'd remember which valve went where...ended up with ice-cold showers for two days. Scribbles are underrated!
Honestly, sketches are handy, but I've found snapping quick phone pics even better. Had a tenant once who scribbled notes everywhere, then couldn't decipher his own handwriting later...ended up with a flooded kitchen. Photos take seconds and clear up confusion instantly. Still, whatever works—anything beats guessing pipes at midnight.
"Had a tenant once who scribbled notes everywhere, then couldn't decipher his own handwriting later...ended up with a flooded kitchen."
Haha, been there! But seriously, ever tried scrolling through 50 blurry phone pics at 1 AM, flashlight clenched between your teeth, water dripping down your back? Not exactly fun either. Photos are great when they're clear and organized, but how many of us actually label or sort them properly?
I've found that a combo approach works best—quick sketches for layout (assuming you can read your own chicken scratch later) paired with a few clear photos for details. Maybe I'm old-school, but there's something about jotting down notes that helps me remember better. Anyone else ever had their phone battery die mid-job? Yeah...good times.
Curious though, does anyone have a favorite app or method for quickly tagging and sorting plumbing pics? Might save me from another midnight guessing game down the road.
"ever tried scrolling through 50 blurry phone pics at 1 AM, flashlight clenched between your teeth, water dripping down your back?"
Haha, sounds painfully familiar. Honestly, I've given up on apps—too fiddly when you're already stressed and soaked. I just snap a few clear shots and scribble quick notes directly onto painter's tape stuck near the pipes. Easy to read later, even if my handwriting's terrible. Saved me more than once from midnight plumbing mysteries...
Haha, painter's tape is a good call—wish I'd thought of that earlier. I used to rely on photos too, until one night I dropped my phone straight into a puddle under the sink. Now I just sketch a rough diagram in a cheap notebook I keep in the toolbox. Sure, the drawings look like a kid's art project, but at least paper doesn't short-circuit when wet...usually.
