Editorial policy
These are the rules every Pipe Answers guide has to meet before it goes live.
Choosing what to cover
We cover household plumbing: drains, toilets, fixtures, pipes, water heaters, water pressure, sewer and septic systems, water quality and cold-weather protection. One page answers one question and its close variations, so you are not sent across five thin pages for one answer.
Sources, in order of preference
- Model plumbing codes (the International Plumbing Code and the Uniform Plumbing Code) and state or local code bodies.
- Federal and state agencies, such as EPA WaterSense, the EPA’s drinking water and septic programs, the Department of Energy and the Consumer Product Safety Commission.
- University extension services and engineering programs.
- Manufacturer installation, use and service manuals, for how a specific product works.
We do not cite plumbing company blogs, other content sites, AI chatbots or Wikipedia as the source of a fact. A number appears only with a link to where it came from.
Codes vary
Plumbing codes are adopted and amended locally, so the rule where you live may differ from the model code we quote. When a guide mentions a code requirement, we name the code and section and remind you to check with your local building department.
Safety lines we hold
- Gas: we explain symptoms and what to do right away, and leave repairs to licensed professionals.
- Electricity: for electric water heaters, pumps and disposals, we describe what you can safely look at and when to call a licensed electrician.
- Chemicals: we follow the product label and do not suggest mixing drain cleaners or other chemicals.
Expert review and dates
A guide shows “Reviewed by” only after a licensed plumber has approved it in writing; otherwise it shows “Expert review in progress”. Pages show when they were published and, after review, when they were last reviewed. We change the updated date only when the content changes in a meaningful way, and we re-check each guide at least once a year.
Guest posts and sponsorship
Guest articles must fit our topic and meet these same rules, and we edit them. Anything paid for is labeled “Sponsored”, and paid links use rel="sponsored". Details are on the contribute page.
AI tools
We use AI tools for outlines and first drafts only; people do the research, fact-checking and review. Full details: How we use AI.