Couldn't agree more about labeling fittings clearly—it's saved me from some serious headaches. One extra step I've found invaluable is marking shut-off valves and emergency isolation points clearly. Had a tenant call me in a panic once because of a burst pipe, and knowing exactly where to direct them to shut off the water quickly prevented major water damage. Photos are great, but having clear, labeled emergency points documented can be a real lifesaver...literally.
Totally relate to this. When I moved into my first place, I had zero clue about plumbing. First leak happened and I was scrambling around the basement like a headless chicken...wish I'd labeled those valves sooner. Lesson learned the hard way, haha.
"First leak happened and I was scrambling around the basement like a headless chicken..."
Been there...still kinda there actually. I'm starting to think plumbing is just one of those homeowner rites of passage. Does anyone actually label valves beforehand, or is panic-labeling the norm?
"Does anyone actually label valves beforehand, or is panic-labeling the norm?"
Haha, panic-labeling is definitely my default mode. I tried being proactive once and labeled everything neatly after a minor leak...then we remodeled the bathroom and now half those labels are useless. Plumbing seems to have its own special chaos. Curious though, has anyone found a labeling method that actually survives renovations or am I dreaming here?
"Curious though, has anyone found a labeling method that actually survives renovations or am I dreaming here?"
Honestly, you're probably dreaming a bit...but one thing I've seen work decently is labeling pipes and valves based on their main supply line rather than specific fixtures. Like "hot supply - upstairs bath" instead of "hot sink faucet." It won't survive every renovation perfectly, but at least it gives you a fighting chance when things inevitably shift around. Plumbing chaos is real though, no denying that!
