Methodology
How the drain checker reaches a next step.
DrainMyPipe looks for combinations that change what a homeowner should do next. It does not identify a confirmed cause and it does not replace an onsite professional.
What escalates first
- Active hazards: flooding, rising sewage, water near electricity, gas odor, or possible structural damage are marked emergency. Gas and structural danger use leave-the-area instructions rather than plumbing steps.
- Shared-line signals: backups involving multiple fixtures, floor drains, sewage odor, or gurgling are escalated.
- Localized symptoms: a single slow drain without backup or hazards stays routine.
How the result is built
The fixture, selected symptoms, active-hazard answers, multiple-fixture answer, and optional description are processed by deterministic TypeScript rules. Location is not used in the safety decision. The same input produces the same urgency and safety guidance.
What the result cannot know
The checker cannot see pipe material, slope, venting, roots, damage behind walls, municipal sewer conditions, or the quality of previous work. Likely explanations are discussion prompts, not findings.
Content review boundary
Current guidance is intentionally limited to containment, observation, visible debris, and plumber handoff preparation. It has not yet received licensed-plumber review. DrainMyPipe will publish the review date and scope when that review occurs.
Public safety sources
The conservative stop signs are checked against public guidance from the U.S. EPA on sewage exposure, Electrical Safety Foundation International on flooded electrical equipment, CDC on gas and damaged-building hazards, and Poison Control on corrosive drain cleaners. These sources support safety boundaries, not a remote diagnosis.