"Did you find the photos clear enough to actually pinpoint pipe locations later on, or did you have to take multiple angles to be sure?"
Honestly, I tried the quick photo method once and regretted it big time. Thought I had everything covered, but when it came down to drilling, I was still guessing a bit. Ended up nicking a pipe—thankfully just a minor leak, but still a headache and extra expense I didn't need. Now I always take multiple angles and even jot down quick notes on measurements. Might seem like overkill, but trust me, it's cheaper than patching drywall and replacing pipes. Did your photos alone really save you from any guesswork, or did you have to double-check with measurements too?
I've been there myself—photos alone just aren't enough. Even when I thought I had crystal-clear shots, once the drywall went up, it was like playing Battleship trying to figure out exactly where those pipes were hiding. Now I always mark distances from fixed points like corners or outlets, and snap a few extra angles for good measure. Might seem tedious at first, but it's saved me from some costly surprises. Like you said:
"it's cheaper than patching drywall and replacing pipes."
Couldn't agree more. Learned that lesson the hard way too...
I feel your pain on this one. When I first moved into my place, I thought I was being super careful by taking a bunch of photos before sealing up the walls. But when it came time to install some shelves, I realized pretty quickly that photos alone weren't gonna cut it. It was like trying to find buried treasure without a map—except the "treasure" was copper pipes and electrical wiring, and hitting them would cost me way more than a few gold coins.
"Even when I thought I had crystal-clear shots, once the drywall went up, it was like playing Battleship trying to figure out exactly where those pipes were hiding."
Haha, exactly! I ended up poking around with a stud finder and tapping on walls like some kind of drywall whisperer. Eventually, I got lucky and didn't puncture anything important—but man, the stress wasn't worth it.
Now I'm totally on board with marking distances from fixed points. I've started using painter's tape to jot down measurements directly onto the floor or nearby studs before closing things up. It might look a little weird at first, but it's way easier than guessing later on. Plus, painter's tape peels right off without leaving marks, so no harm done.
Honestly, if you're already going through the trouble of DIY-ing your bathroom fix-up, spending an extra 10 minutes marking things out clearly is nothing compared to the headache of patching drywall or calling in a plumber after accidentally drilling into a pipe. Trust me—I learned this lesson the hard way too (and my wallet still hasn't forgiven me).
Good luck with your project—sounds like you're already on the right track!
Painter's tape is handy, but honestly, I've found it can peel off or fade over time—especially if your project drags out longer than expected (been there...). I switched to jotting down measurements and quick sketches in a notebook, referencing fixed points like corners or door frames. It's old-school, but notebooks don't accidentally get painted over or peeled away. Just my two cents from plenty of trial and error. Good luck!
Painter's tape definitely has its quirks... I've had it peel off paint I just put down, which was beyond frustrating. But notebooks? I dunno, seems like I'd lose track of mine halfway through the project. Still, your method sounds solid enough—might give it a shot next time. Good luck with your bathroom fix-up, plumbing can be tricky but it's satisfying once you get it right.