APRA Webinar Series - 1.5 CE Credit

Pipes, Reserves & Risk: A Reserve Specialist's Guide to Pipe Rehabilitation in Common Interest Communities

Webinar description:

Aging plumbing infrastructure is one of the most expensive and overlooked line items in a community association's reserve plan. This session provides reserve study specialists with an in-depth understanding of how water and sewer drain systems are designed, how they degrade over time, and what options are available when those systems begin to fail. Attendees will gain practical knowledge about the differences between conventional pipe replacement and non-destructive pipe rehabilitation technologies — including epoxy barrier coatings and Cured-In-Place Pipe Lining (CIPP) — and why understanding these distinctions is critical to producing accurate, defensible reserve studies.

Beyond the technical fundamentals, this session addresses the financial and risk management dimensions of pipe failure in HOA and condominium settings. Speaker will cover how proactive CCTV pipe inspections can inform reserve planning, how insurance programs intersect with pipe-related water damage claims, and what financing options exist when communities face pipe emergencies without adequate reserves. Whether your clients are dealing with recurring drain stoppages, unexplained water loss, or aging galvanized and cast-iron systems, this session will equip you with the language, frameworks, and vendor knowledge to advise your clients with confidence

Learning Objectives:

1. Identify the most common pipe materials used in multi-unit residential construction and understand their typical lifecycles and failure modes, enabling more accurate remaining useful life estimates in reserve studies.
2. Distinguish between conventional pipe replacement and non-destructive pipe rehabilitation methods (epoxy lining and CIPP), including their relative costs, timelines, and appropriate applications — providing reserve specialists with a more complete range of budget scenarios.
3. Explain how professional CCTV pipe inspections can be used as a diagnostic and planning tool to support reserve fund recommendations and capital improvement planning for common area plumbing systems.
4. Describe the insurance coverage landscape for pipe-related water damage in community associations, including how proactive maintenance programs can reduce claims exposure and potentially lower insurance premiums.
5. Discuss available financing and reserve funding strategies for pipe rehabilitation projects, including how communities with underfunded reserves can still access capital to address failing pipe systems before they become emergencies

Speaker Bio:

Phil Torres

Vice President of Sales and Marketing, CuraFlo Services LLC

Phil Torres is the Vice President of Sales and Marketing for CuraFlo Services LLC, bringing 29 years of experience in the construction industry with a specialized focus on pipe and coatings inspection and nondestructive pipe restoration technologies. He consults on and manages pipe rehabilitation projects across North America, leading teams of pipe rehabilitation consultants and field technicians across operations in Nevada, Maryland, Virginia, Washington D.C., and Florida.

Phil is a recognized educator in the pipe rehabilitation space, regularly presenting CEU-accredited courses to property managers, HOA board members, and reserve specialists. His work focuses on restoring aging pipe infrastructure and equipping building professionals with the knowledge to evaluate trenchless restoration options for domestic water, HVAC, sanitary sewer, sovent, and fire suppression systems. Phil also owns a digital marketing company providing photography, video, and advertising services for small businesses.