**Why Would Someone Put a Balloon Over the Shower Drain? The Curious Case That Has Everyone Talking**
A concerned mother recently shared an odd story online:
While visiting her daughter’s home, she noticed her **son-in-law placing a balloon over the shower drain.** Even stranger, he kept **extra balloons neatly stored on a shelf** in the bathroom.
When she asked what it was for, her daughter brushed it off, saying, “It’s none of your business.” The mother, puzzled and uneasy, turned to the internet for answers.
So — what *could* someone possibly be doing with balloons in a shower drain?
Let’s break down the most likely explanations, from practical to downright creative.
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### **1. Preventing Sewer Gas or Bad Odors**
One of the most common — and surprisingly smart — reasons someone might cover a drain is to **block unpleasant smells**.
If a shower or bathroom isn’t used frequently, the water in the P-trap (the U-shaped part of the pipe that seals out sewer gas) can evaporate. When that happens, foul air from the drain can seep into the bathroom.
By placing a **balloon or plastic cover** over the drain, it acts as a **temporary seal** that traps air and prevents those odors from escaping.
Some homeowners even use plastic wrap or rubber stoppers for the same purpose — balloons just happen to fit snugly and are easy to replace.
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### **2. Keeping Out Bugs and Drain Flies**
In certain climates or older homes, small insects — especially **drain flies or cockroaches** — can crawl up through drains.
A balloon stretched over the drain works as a **cheap, flexible barrier** to keep pests out, while being easy to remove when the shower is in use.
If your son-in-law is particularly clean or sensitive to bugs, this might be his clever DIY pest-control method.
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### **3. Sound or Water Pressure Experiment**
For the more mechanically curious, there’s another possibility.
Some people use balloons to test **airflow, suction, or pressure leaks** in plumbing systems. By sealing the drain with a balloon and observing whether it inflates or deflates, they can detect changes in air movement or blockages.
If your son-in-law is a DIY type, he might be checking whether the drain or pipes are properly sealed.
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### **4. Humidity Control for the Bathroom**
Believe it or not, a shower drain can sometimes **let moist air rise** from pipes, increasing humidity and even leading to mildew. Covering it with a balloon keeps that damp air trapped below — especially useful if the bathroom doesn’t have strong ventilation.
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### **5. Or… Something Completely Harmless**
Finally, let’s not overlook the simplest explanation:
He may just have **found a quirky personal habit or project**, like testing homemade plumbing solutions, storing small items, or even teaching a child about water flow or air pressure.
Sometimes, what looks suspicious is just creative problem-solving.
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### **So, What’s Really Going On?**
Without more context, it’s impossible to say for sure — but all signs point to a **practical, non-sinister reason**. The use of balloons in plumbing isn’t as strange as it sounds; many home-repair enthusiasts and maintenance experts use them as quick seals or odor barriers.
It’s also possible that your daughter and son-in-law simply didn’t want to explain a harmless quirk to avoid awkward conversation.
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### **Final Thoughts: Curiosity vs. Trust**
Family dynamics can be tricky — especially when relationships are strained. It’s natural to worry when something seems odd, but sometimes the best approach is patience and curiosity rather than confrontation.
In the end, whether he’s blocking sewer gas or experimenting with DIY home fixes, your son-in-law’s balloon trick likely serves a useful (if unusual) purpose.
And who knows? It might even be one of those clever household hacks we’ll all be trying one day.
