- Stickers never last in basements—humidity just eats them up.
- I’ve seen metal tags outlast everything, but yeah, sometimes they get knocked off or go missing.
- I once found a main shutoff labeled with a sticky note... that was fun.
- Exercising valves is underrated. I’ve seen so many stuck ones over the years, and folks never realize until it’s an emergency.
- Always double-check after testing—sometimes they don’t seat right and you’ll get weird pressure drops.
- Metal tags are good, but I’ve had a couple disappear when I wasn’t looking—guess they’re not foolproof.
- Stickers? Forget it. I tried the “waterproof” kind and they peeled off in a month.
- I just use a cheap paint pen now. Write right on the pipe or valve. Not pretty, but it’s still there years later.
- Exercising valves is a pain, but yeah, better than a stuck one when you’re ankle-deep in water.
- Double-checking is smart, but I’ll admit I sometimes forget... until I hear that weird hissing noise.
Paint pen’s been my go-to too—definitely not pretty, but at least it sticks around. I’ve had metal tags vanish as well, especially in high-traffic spots. Anyone ever try those heat-shrink labels? I keep seeing them in catalogs but haven’t pulled the trigger yet. Wondering if they actually hold up or just another thing that’ll peel off after a season.
I’ve had metal tags vanish as well, especially in high-traffic spots.
That’s been my experience too—metal tags just don’t last where there’s a lot of movement or moisture. I did try heat-shrink labels once, hoping they’d be more durable. They held up better than paint pens for about a year, but after a couple of freeze-thaw cycles, a few started to crack and peel. If you go that route, I’d recommend checking the material and making sure it’s rated for outdoor use. For me, nothing beats a good old-fashioned laminated tag, even if it’s not the most eco-friendly option. Safety and clarity come first, especially when you’re in a hurry.
I get the point about laminated tags being clear, but honestly, those things never lasted for me in a boiler room.
I hear you, but if the tag’s gone because the lamination peeled off from the steam, it’s not much help. I’ve had better luck with engraved plastic tags—costs a bit more, but they survive the wet and the heat.Safety and clarity come first, especially when you’re in a hurry.
