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.
Honestly, if you can still read it after a year, you’re ahead of most folks. I’ve seen some “art projects” under houses that look more like cryptic cave paintings—no clue what’s what. Permanent marker isn’t fancy, but it works in a pinch. Just make sure you’re not labeling anything that might get hot or wet too often, since even Sharpie fades faster than you’d think in those spots.
Shrink tube labels are great, but I’ll admit I’ve melted my share of wires trying to get them on right. Sometimes ugly and functional beats pretty and unreadable any day. The main thing is you took the time to label at all—future-you will thank present-you when something goes wrong at 2am and you’re not guessing which pipe is which.
One tip: if you ever redo the labels, maybe jot down a quick legend somewhere dry (like inside the access panel). Saved me more than once when my “creative” labeling system made sense only to me at the time...
Permanent marker isn’t fancy, but it works in a pinch. Just make sure you’re not labeling anything that might get hot or wet too often, since even Sharpie fades faster than you’d think in those spots.
I get what you mean about marker fading, but I’ve actually had better luck with paint pens for stuff that gets damp or warm. They’re a bit messier, but the labels last longer—at least in my basement. If you’re worried about “art project” vibes, you can always use color-coded zip ties too. Not as clear as writing, but they hold up and at least help narrow things down when you’re half-asleep and troubleshooting. Sometimes the low-tech fixes just work better...
If you’re worried about “art project” vibes, you can always use color-coded zip ties too. Not as clear as writing, but they hold up and at least help narrow things down when you’re half-asleep and troubleshooting.
I’ve tried zip ties, but honestly, I find them a bit wasteful—especially if you’re swapping them out every time you re-label. I switched to reusable silicone bands for that reason. They’re not quite as cheap upfront, but less plastic in the long run. Paint pens are solid though, just wish they weren’t so smelly...
I get the concern about waste with zip ties—I've cut through way too many over the years and always felt a bit guilty tossing them. Silicone bands are a clever swap, though I’ve had a few slip off if things get damp or greasy. Paint pens... yeah, those fumes are no joke, especially in tight crawlspaces. Ever tried those clip-on cable tags? They’re not perfect, but at least you can re-label without much hassle. Curious if anyone’s found something that actually stays put and doesn’t turn into a sticky mess after a year or two?
Curious if anyone’s found something that actually stays put and doesn’t turn into a sticky mess after a year or two?
I've run into the same issue with silicone bands sliding around, especially in basements where things get humid. Tried those Velcro wraps once—less waste, easy to adjust, but they pick up dust like crazy. Haven’t found the perfect solution yet. Maybe there isn’t one that’s both tidy and totally reliable long-term...
