Trick or Treat: What Goes Down Your Drain Could Be Scarier Than You Think

Halloween is all about festive fun, but what goes down your drains this season could lead to real nightmares, especially with the rainy season just around the corner. From pumpkin pulp to grease buildup, what you put down your drains—whether indoors or outdoors—can cause serious blockages and backups. But don’t worry, Zoom Drain, your local drain and sewer experts, is here to help keep everything flowing smoothly.

Pumpkin Carving Problems

Carving pumpkins is a fall favorite, but rinsing leftover pulp and seeds down your sink? That’s a surefire way to clog your kitchen drain. Pumpkin pulp hardens quickly, creating tough blockages in your pipes, and the seeds don’t break down easily either. Whether you’re carving at home or preparing for a festive display at your business, always dispose of pumpkin scraps in the trash or compost. This simple step will protect both your kitchen drain and your storm drains from unnecessary blockages when the rain hits.

Decorative Gourd Disasters

As your decorative porch pumpkins and gourds begin to rot, resist the temptation to throw them down your disposal or outdoor drains. Like pumpkins, they’re fibrous and tough on your pipes. And when they make their way into storm drains during a heavy rain, they can clog the system, leading to flooding around your home or business. Always toss them in the trash or compost to prevent larger drainage issues.

Candy Wrappers and Party Waste

During Halloween, wrappers and small party favors often end up in the sink by accident. These non-food items are a nightmare for both indoor plumbing and outdoor drains, where they can block pipes or cause significant damage to your garbage disposal. Ensure wrappers end up in the trash—not the drain—to avoid clogging your pipes or washing into storm drains, where they can contribute to local flooding during fall storms.

Fall Cooking Grease

Fall is all about hearty meals, but pouring cooking grease down your drains—whether at home or in a busy restaurant—can lead to significant clogs as it cools and hardens. Grease doesn’t just block your kitchen drains; it can also end up in storm drains, creating blockages that can exacerbate flooding during heavy rain. Always dispose of grease in a container or the trash to keep both your home’s plumbing and the community’s storm drainage systems running smoothly.

Zoom Drain’s Comprehensive Fall Drain Cleaning Packages

With fall bringing more rain, it’s important to prepare your entire drainage system—not just your indoor drains but also your outdoor storm drains. Our Residential Fall Drain Cleaning and Commercial FlowGuard Pro packages are designed to address the specific needs of both homes and businesses during the fall and rainy season.

Our packages include:

• Zoom-Jetting for Thorough Cleaning: Our high-pressure Zoom-Jetting system clears out stubborn debris, including grease, roots, and leaves that can clog both indoor drains and outdoor storm drains. This ensures your system is ready for increased rainfall and keeps everything flowing freely.
• Video Inspection Services: Using advanced video technology, we inspect your entire drainage system, including downspouts and storm drains, to identify hidden blockages or developing issues. This proactive service prevents larger problems and ensures your home or business is prepared for the season.
• Exterior Downspout & Rain Leader Cleaning: One of the most critical services for the rainy season, we make sure your downspouts and rain leaders are clear of debris, allowing rainwater to flow away from your building's foundation and preventing localized flooding.
• Sump Pump Inspections: For properties with sump pumps, a fall inspection is crucial. We’ll ensure your pump is fully operational and ready to handle heavy rains, protecting your property from flooding and water damage.
• Zoom Drain Bio Treatment: After cleaning, we apply Zoom Drain Bio, a specialized treatment that breaks down organic material, preventing future buildup. This eco-friendly treatment ensures smooth flow long after our visit, helping both residential and commercial properties stay clog-free.

Preventive Maintenance and Emergency Services: Get Your Life Flowing Today

As the rainy season approaches, preventive maintenance from Zoom Drain is the best way to protect both your indoor plumbing and your outdoor storm drains from blockages caused by leaves, debris, and grease. With our Fall Drain Cleaning Packages, you can trust that your home or business will be ready for whatever the season throws at it.

But we know clogs can happen unexpectedly—whether inside your home or business, or even in your storm drains. If you face an emergency, Zoom Drain’s emergency services are just a call away. Don’t let a clog or drainage issue disrupt your day. Schedule your preventive maintenance today, or contact us for fast, expert emergency assistance. At Zoom Drain, we’re committed to keeping your drains clear, so you can focus on what matters most.

Get Your Life Flowing Today!™