Making pumpkin carving 'mistake' this Halloween could cost 'up to £300'

Making pumpkin carving 'mistake' this Halloween could cost 'up to £300' People have been warned this is a 'recipe for disaster' With thousands of homes displaying carved pumpkins this Halloween, a plumbing expert has reminded homeowners to avoid an expensive mistake when they are done. This could come back to haunt people with bills of up to £300. Brian Toward, a plumbing expert and CEO of the retailer Wholesale Domestic, said people should think twice before rinsing the inside of their pumpkin in the kitchen sink. Even small scraps can quickly cause problems in the pipes. He said: "Pumpkin pulp might look harmless, but it’s a sticky, stringy mess that can cause damage once it’s in your pipes. The fibrous strands and seeds don’t dissolve in water, and they can clump together, harden and stick to the sides of your pipes, trapping other debris and eventually causing a blockage." He warned that Halloween can be a particularly busy time for blocked drains, and the cost of clearing it out can be a nasty surprise. Brian said sorting a blocked kitchen drain can cost anywhere from £80 to £150, with more severe blockages potentially setting homeowners back up to £300. Brian said: "The combination of pumpkin pulp, fat, and food residue is a recipe for disaster. Once that mixture sets, it’s like concrete. "Always make sure to use a sink waste strainer when rinsing out your pumpkins and dispose of any waste in a food waste bin or compost. If small amounts of pumpkin pulp do escape down the drain, make sure to flush it with hot water with a bit of washing-up liquid to break down any lingering residue." He also urged households to take a moment to clear away scraps properly while carving. Taking this precaution can avoid turning a fun Halloween activity into an expensive call-out. How else can I safely dispose of leftover pumpkin? 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. Whether it's cooking with leftover pumpkin, composting it or making sure it goes into the appropriate waste collection, there are simple steps households can take to reduce the amount they throw away." While dumping pumpkins outdoors may seem like a harmless way to feed wildlife, it could actually do far more harm than good. The Woodland Trust cautions that discarded pumpkins can cause stomach upsets in hedgehogs, potentially leading to dehydration. Rotting pumpkins can also draw in rats and damage woodland ecosystems. For pumpkins that are no longer fit for consumption, home composting offers a practical alternative to simply throwing them in the bin. Households without the option of home composting should consult their local council's guidance before getting rid of pumpkins. Certain councils will accept pumpkins via food waste collections, while others may have varying requirements based on the services they provide.