Pumpkin can clog drain

SPARTA — Some jack-o’lanterns may sport smiley faces this Halloween, but if carvers put pumpkin pulp down the drain, it could turn their own smiles into frowns. Pumpkin pulp can clog drains and damage garbage disposals. Mr. Rooter Plumbing service professionals advise pumpkin carvers to keep pumpkin pulp and seeds away from the kitchen sink. “The pulp remains intact in the drain,” said Ryan Poust of Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Morris and Sussex Counties franchise. “As the orange substance hardens and sticks to the pipes, you’ll end up with a stopped-up kitchen sink.” Poust says it’s better to carve pumpkins on a newspaper, so pumpkin remnants can be easily thrown away or put in a compost pile. Better yet, save the pumpkin seeds and pulp for cooking. There are recipes for both.