Halloween is upon us again. The season of spooks, specters, and scares is the one time of year where you don’t mind being frightened as long as it’s all in good fun. However, true terror could be lurking in your pipes. Avoid these common Halloween plumbing nightmares to ensure the season’s frights end up being harmless.
Top 3 Halloween plumbing nightmares
- Pumpkin pulp down the drain. Who doesn’t love a spooky jack-o-lantern on the front porch? Americans spent about $575 million on the classic Halloween decoration last year. That’s a lot of pumpkins! It’s also a scary amount of pulp that could be going down your drain. The pulp and seed mixture is like glue once it gets into your pipes. Do not put it down your drain or garbage disposal for any reason. We recommend not even rinsing your hands in the sink after pulp removal. To be safe, remove the pulp onto a newspaper and put it in the trash. Rinse your hands with an outside faucet or hose. Separate the seeds from the pulp and roast them in the oven. It’s a delicious, healthy snack and makes the house smell wonderful. You might have to replace your disposal or have your pipes professionally cleaned if you don’t follow this important advice. It’s almost like having to call the Ghostbusters, but not as funny.
- Candy wrappers down the toilet. Can your toilet double as a trashcan? No! Talk to your children about the importance of using the toilet only as intended. Kids have been known to sneak candy treats and dispose of the evidence with a late-night flush. This will wreak havoc on your plumbing and lead to difficult clogs. Perhaps be lenient on the typical “no candy after dinner” rule during this part of the year. The feelings of panic and dread you’ll experience as the toilet water reaches the top of the bowl and begins to spill over might be worse than the jolt you get from a scary movie scene.
- Inconsiderate houseguests. Do you throw the best Halloween party on the block? Then you know that sometimes party-goers can be a bit inconsiderate. Obviously, the first priority of a party is having fun, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t prepare the home against dire plumbing situations. Pick up some drain screens and ensure each bathroom has an accessible plunger. Being proactive and preventing problems means that you won’t have to stress about it during the actual festivities. There are better things to worry about, like peeling 5 pounds of grapes for your eyeball hors d’oeuvre and having a source of dry ice at the ready.
Follow our advice and you’ll likely have an appropriately frightening Halloween without experiencing a plumbing nightmare. If for any reason, you do need the help of plumbing professionals, Bieg Plumbing has got you covered. We’ve served the St. Louis area for over 60 years and are available 24 hours a day to assist you. Contact us today with any questions or concerns you have.
Halloween party stuck in the muck? Time to call in the red truck.