I've used chalk markers a few times, and inspectors never gave me grief about them. But honestly, pencil notes covered with clear painter's tape works better—no smudging or accidental erasing mid-project. Ever tried that instead?
I've tried the pencil-and-tape trick, but honestly, painter's tape always ends up peeling off at the worst possible moment for me...usually right before inspection. Ever had that happen, or am I just cursed by the DIY gods?
Painter's tape can definitely be finicky, especially if the surface isn't perfectly clean or smooth. I've had a few frustrating moments myself—usually when I'm rushing before an inspection too. One thing that helped me was switching to a higher-quality tape like FrogTape; it sticks better and peels off cleaner. Also, pressing firmly along the edges with a putty knife or credit card really improves adhesion. Might be worth trying next time you're prepping...could save you some DIY grief down the road.
FrogTape's decent, but honestly, I've found that spending extra time prepping the surface—cleaning thoroughly and sanding down rough spots—makes a bigger difference than tape brand. Learned that the hard way restoring my old Victorian... shortcuts rarely pay off with historic homes.
You're spot on about prep work being key. When I tackled my 1920s bungalow, I initially thought premium tape would save me headaches, but nope... sanding and cleaning thoroughly made all the difference. Historic homes are finicky beasts—building codes included—but patience pays off. Keep at it, sounds like you're on the right track.
