Editorial policy

How DrainPath researches, writes, and corrects information

The editorial process is designed to keep safety statements traceable, commercial influence separate, and product limits visible.

Source priorities

DrainPath gives preference to sources with direct responsibility or technical authority:

  1. Government health, safety, environmental, and utility agencies
  2. Adopted codes, standards bodies, and official code commentary where accessible
  3. Manufacturer safety data and product labels for product-specific claims
  4. University extension programs and established public-interest organizations
  5. Qualified professional review for homeowner-facing interpretation

Use of AI

AI tools may assist with research organization, drafting, code, and test generation. They are not treated as sources. Published claims must be checked against the cited material, and the diagnostic tool does not call a language model at runtime.

Safety claims

Each safety stop, prohibited action, and escalation condition must map to a source record. When evidence does not support a specific instruction, the instruction is narrowed or removed.

Commercial separation

Commercial relationships do not determine topics, result order, or safety recommendations. DrainPath does not sell result priority, contractor rankings, or access to diagnostic answers. Clearly labeled affiliate links are excluded from questions, safety warnings, stop-condition results, and broader sewer, septic, or shared-building patterns.

Corrections

Material corrections should state what changed and update the review date. Reports can be sent to[email protected]. Credible safety concerns receive priority over routine editorial updates.

Professional review language

A page or rule is not described as plumber-reviewed unless an identifiable qualified reviewer has reviewed that material, the scope is recorded, and permission to publish the reviewer’s identity has been obtained.

On this page

  • Primary sources preferred
  • AI is not a source
  • Safety claims are traceable
  • Paid links do not affect results
  • Report a correction