By: Matt Wittman, President of Professional Plumbing & Design, Inc.

From the Tips & Tricks Issue (September 2020) of Community Magazine,
The Official Journal Of Community Associations Institute West Florida Chapter

Maintaining water heaters, pipes and water supplies helps avoid costly flood damage. Units with cast iron drains should be on a regular cleaning schedule.

Inside homes and condominium units, make sure all water supplies to fixtures, faucets and appliances (dishwasher, ice maker, washing machine, toilets and faucets) are of the braided stainless-steel type with metal connections. Replace all non-braided stainless-steel supplies with metal connections; even braided supplies with plastic connections have shown to be possible leak or flood points. These supplies are under constant water pressure day and night and can fail at any time.

Water heaters should be replaced at least every 10 years unless they have a longer warranty. Most associations require this replacement to avoid flooding damage to other units. There can also be flood stop-valves installed at the water heater that will shut off the water to the water heater if it leaks. Taking leak detection a step further, there are whole house I unit leak detection systems that will shut the water off to

Drains can clog over time.

If you think about all of the types of things we flush down our drains, it's a wonder they don't clog more often. Drains run slower as greases, hair, toothpaste, soap and other debris build up inside the pipes and eventually cause blockage.

If you have clogged drains, there are a few things you can do yourself to try and clear them.

• Use a plunger. A very handy tool, and no house should be without one. You can try using a plunger to free up the blocked drain. But if you are full of muscles and work out at the gym regularly - don't get too carried away. If your drain doesn't unclog right away move on to another method because too much pressure from a plunger may damage your drain or pipes.
• Baking soda and vinegar. Sometimes using baking soda and vinegar can clear a clogged drain. Pour ½ cup baking soda down the drain and then carefully pour in a cup of vinegar on top. Quickly place the stopper in the drain and dive for cover (just kidding). Actually – just let it sit for a few minutes then pour about a gallon