A plumbing expert has warned homeowners against rinsing pumpkin pulp down the kitchen sink this Halloween, saying the fibrous material can harden in pipes and lead to bills of up to £300.
Brian Toward, a plumbing expert and CEO of the retailer Wholesale Domestic, said that even small scraps of pumpkin can swiftly cause problems within pipework. He explained that pumpkin pulp is sticky and stringy, and that its fibrous strands and seeds do not dissolve in water.
Blockages can be costly
Toward said the strands can clump together, harden and stick to the sides of pipes, trapping other debris and eventually causing a blockage. He noted that Halloween can be a particularly hectic time for blocked drains.
Unblocking a kitchen drain can cost anywhere between £80 and £150, with more serious blockages potentially leaving homeowners facing bills of up to £300.
How to avoid the problem
Toward advised using a sink waste strainer when rinsing out pumpkins and disposing of any waste in a food waste bin or compost. If small amounts of pumpkin pulp do escape down the drain, he recommended flushing it with hot water and a bit of washing-up liquid to break down any lingering residue.
He also encouraged people to take a moment to properly clear any debris while carving, to prevent an enjoyable Halloween activity from becoming a costly call-out.
Safe disposal alternatives
James Ward, of Wheeldon Brothers, said pumpkins are often treated as single-use Halloween decorations, but many people forget they are still food that can be used long after the celebrations. He suggested cooking with leftover pumpkin, composting it, or making sure it goes into the appropriate waste collection.
The Woodland Trust warns that abandoned pumpkins can cause stomach upsets in hedgehogs, potentially resulting in dehydration. Rotting pumpkins can also attract rats and cause damage to woodland ecosystems.
For pumpkins no longer suitable for eating, home composting offers a practical alternative to discarding them in the bin. Households without access to home composting should check their local council's guidance before disposing of pumpkins, as some councils accept them through food waste collections while others may have differing requirements.
