Editorial Standards

Evidence labels

Before You Drill uses evidence labels to separate stronger claims from weaker ones.

Tested means a method, product, or claim was directly tested by the site team.

Observed means the guidance is based on a real repair situation, artifact, or documented condition.

Researched means the guidance is based on source review, expert or manufacturer context, and editorial synthesis.

Pending means the claim needs stronger verification before it should be treated as a recommendation.

No hands-on testing unless stated

Before You Drill should not imply hands-on testing unless a page clearly says what was tested, how it was tested, and what the limits were.

If a page is based on research only, it should say so through evidence labels or page copy. Researched guidance can still be useful, but it is not the same as hands-on product testing.

Safety and stop rules

The site uses conservative stop rules for higher-risk situations, including electrical, plumbing, gas, structural, mold, water damage, ladder work, heavy mounting, unknown wall type, lead/asbestos suspicion, and permit-sensitive work.

When the downside of being wrong is meaningful, the safer recommendation is to stop, gather more context, or use qualified professional help.

Educational decision support, not professional diagnosis

Before You Drill provides educational decision support for common repair questions. It does not provide professional diagnosis, emergency help, legal advice, permit/code advice, insurance advice, or a guarantee that a repair is safe to attempt.

Readers are responsible for checking their lease, local rules, manufacturer instructions, site conditions, and professional requirements before attempting a repair.

Product, tool, and material guidance

Tool and material pages should explain who a product category is for, who should skip it, what can go wrong, and whether the guidance is tested, observed, researched, or pending.

Product guidance should not show static prices, unverified availability, hidden affiliate relationships, or retailer product images without approved rights.

Corrections and updates

Before You Drill should correct material errors when they are found.

Corrections may include clarifying safety language, updating evidence labels, removing unsupported claims, changing product or material guidance, or adding a stronger stop rule.

Review or updated dates should reflect real editorial review. A date should not be used to imply freshness if the page has not actually been reviewed for the current launch version.