Packing tape over labels is clever, but I gotta say, I’ve had mixed luck with it—especially in basements where the humidity is wild. I tried that trick on some old copper lines last winter, and after a couple months, the tape started curling at the edges. Maybe it’s just my luck, or maybe I’m not using the right brand, but it ended up looking kinda messy.
What’s worked for me is those cheap plastic key tags with the little paper insert. Not the prettiest, but they’re easy to swap out when you need to relabel, and they don’t mind a bit of moisture. I just hang them with a zip tie or a bit of wire. Not exactly invisible, but at least I’m not scraping sticky gunk off pipes every time I move something around.
Honestly, I’d love to find something that looks halfway decent and doesn’t turn into a science experiment after a year in the basement. Until then, I guess it’s just whatever holds up the longest...
I hear you on the tape—humidity just ruins it, no matter how careful you are. I’ve tried a few brands and they all end up peeling or getting gross. Those key tags are a solid workaround, honestly. Have you ever tried those shrink tube labels? I keep wondering if they’d last longer, but I’m not sure if they’re worth the hassle or cost. Either way, anything’s better than scraping off sticky labels every year...
Have you ever tried those shrink tube labels? I keep wondering if they’d last longer, but I’m not sure if they’re worth the hassle or cost.
I’ve used the shrink tube labels on a few units—honestly, they do hold up better in damp basements, but you need a heat gun and a bit of patience. They’re not cheap, but I’d say they pay off if you’re tired of replacing labels every season. Still, for quick fixes, key tags are hard to beat. Sticky residue is the worst... nothing quite gets it all off.
Shrink tube labels are definitely a step up for durability, especially if you’ve got moisture issues. Just gotta be careful with the heat gun—seen a few folks scorch insulation by rushing it. Worth it if you want things to stay readable, but yeah, not the fastest method. Ever tried just using a permanent marker on the pipe itself? Not pretty, but sometimes it’s the simplest fixes that last.
- Totally get the appeal of shrink tube labels—those things are basically apocalypse-proof if you don’t melt your wires first.
- Permanent marker on the pipe? Guilty as charged. My crawlspace looks like a toddler’s art project, but hey, I can still read what’s what after a year.
- Not the prettiest, but sometimes ugly gets the job done.
- Honestly, just getting in there and labeling anything is a win. Half my projects end with me forgetting what I started... so you’re ahead of the game.
