Zip ties with tags sound decent, but honestly, I've found even those can get brittle over time, especially if they're near hot water pipes or exposed to sunlight. I tried labeling my shut-off valves that way last year, and a couple snapped off after about 8 months. Now I just keep a dedicated folder on my phone for plumbing pics—still a pain scrolling through though. Maybe there's an app specifically for home maintenance photos...?
I hear you on the zip ties—been there, trashed that. They just don’t hold up if there’s any heat or sun, and it’s honestly more annoying when you find broken tags everywhere later. I’ve tried the phone photo method too, but scrolling through a hundred random shots is a headache. There are home inventory apps out there, but most are clunky or overkill. Sometimes I just sketch a quick diagram on paper and tape it inside the utility closet—low tech, but at least I don’t lose it in my camera roll. It’s always more work than it should be...
Honestly, I’ve always wondered why there isn’t a more durable tagging system—something that actually lasts in a damp, cramped crawlspace. Have you ever tried using metal tags or engraving info directly onto pipes? Seems like overkill, but maybe it’s less hassle long term...
Metal tags sound tough, but honestly, they’re a pain in tight spots—sharp edges, and they corrode over time anyway. I’ve seen folks try permanent marker on shrink tubing, which holds up better than you’d think. Engraving every pipe seems like a lot of extra work for most jobs, unless you’re doing hospital-grade installs or something. Wouldn’t a good digital map or photo log do the trick for most homes?
Wouldn’t a good digital map or photo log do the trick for most homes?
That’s pretty much what I’ve ended up doing. I tried the metal tags once—never again. They snagged my sleeves and, like you said, started rusting after a couple years. For me, snapping photos before closing up walls has been a lifesaver. I just keep a folder on my phone labeled by room and date. It’s not fancy, but it’s saved me from guessing which line is which more than once.
I do wonder, though, how reliable permanent marker on shrink tubing is long-term. Does it fade if there’s condensation or heat? I’ve had labels peel off in crawlspaces, so I’m always looking for something that’ll actually last. Engraving seems overkill unless you’re running a commercial setup, but maybe there’s a middle ground?
Curious if anyone’s tried QR code stickers or something similar. Would that hold up, or just end up as another thing that falls off after a few years?
