Beware of Pumpkin Pulp

Carving pumpkins into jack-o’-lanterns is an age-old Halloween tradition. However, this pre-holiday fun can turn into a plumbing nightmare if the pulp and seeds find their way down the garbage disposal.

With the usual increase in clogged kitchen sink drains and jammed garbage disposals that plumbers see this time of year, Mr. Rooter® Plumbing is prepared for the spike in calls. 

“We stay quite busy during Halloween because people don’t realize the pumpkin’s stringy, slimy substance hardens and sticks to the pipes,” said Mary Kennedy Thompson, president of Mr. Rooter Plumbing. “Our service professionals are on call 24/7, so we can repair plumbing emergencies and get our customers back to their Halloween festivities.”

The trick to keeping pumpkin pulp and seeds from causing plumbing problems is being cautious when removing and disposing of the pumpkin’s remains.

Mr. Rooter Plumbing has this advice:

  • Carve pumpkins on a newspaper away from the kitchen sink
  • Do not put pulp and seeds into the garbage disposal or toilet
  • Throw all pumpkin-related waste and newspaper in the garbage
  • For those who recycle, put the remnants in a compost pile.

And the treat for following this recommendation – pumpkin carvers can use the pulp and seeds for Halloween snacks, desserts, breads and muffins.

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Submitted by Newtown, CT

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