What the heck is this rusty thing underneath the sink?

[tranquility]

Please see this photo, something seems to have rusted? and is leaving powdery residue below. I have no idea what it is, can you guys enlighten me and how it got there, how to prevent it from happening again and do I just wipe it away?

EDIT: it's my bathroom sink if it makes any difference.

[Mosaud1998]

Looks like plumber putty. But, I don't think plumbers' putty would disintegrate

[tranquility]

Originally Posted by Mosaud1998

Looks like plumber putty. But, I don't think plumbers' putty would disintegrate

What is the purpose of such putty and why does it look like it's rusted? Not sure why it's in that location since the 'nut'? isn't anywhere near, it's just sitting there.

[2000cs]

Plumbers putty is to help seal parts that are not threaded - like the drain to the basin (in the basin) drain to tub (in the tub), etc.

That looks like some sort of packing, may be plumbers putty. I’m not a plumber but I don’t think that is correct. That piece should be attached with a nut (like the one above or below) to the drain tail piece (threaded piece coming out of the sink). I would suggest filling the sink part way, then remove the stopper to flood the drain. Watch as it drains to see if there is any seeping. Even if you don’t see anything, I’d suggest calling a plumber or spending a few hours on YouTube looking at sink plumbing videos.

One other thought: the rust or whatever it is doesn’t seem to be right below the drain in your picture (assuming you didn’t move the paper rolls). So maybe there is some hardware around the perimeter of the sink which is rusting. That would be the stuff that attaches the sink to the countertop/cabinet. Clearly there is something falling straight down from the drain as well, so that needs to be looked after.

[spazzz]

Looks like teflon tape that is left after the nut corroded and fell off.
Either way it is a leak waiting to happen. You will probably need a new strainer basket and tail piece.

[tranquility]

Originally Posted by 2000cs

Plumbers putty is to help seal parts that are not threaded - like the drain to the basin (in the basin) drain to tub (in the tub), etc.

That looks like some sort of packing, may be plumbers putty. I’m not a plumber but I don’t think that is correct. That piece should be attached with a nut (like the one above or below) to the drain tail piece (threaded piece coming out of the sink). I would suggest filling the sink part way, then remove the stopper to flood the drain. Watch as it drains to see if there is any seeping. Even if you don’t see anything, I’d suggest calling a plumber or spending a few hours on YouTube looking at sink plumbing videos.

One other thought: the rust or whatever it is doesn’t seem to be right below the drain in your picture (assuming you didn’t move the paper rolls). So maybe there is some hardware around the perimeter of the sink which is rusting. That would be the stuff that attaches the sink to the countertop/cabinet. Clearly there is something falling straight down from the drain as well, so that needs to be looked after.

Tx, I'm also stumped as I have no idea why it's there. Knock wood there's no leak at all.

Regrets, I moved the tp but the powder stuff was directly below that part, so it's only coming from that.

[Jolbex]

Youre clearly missing a nut (and a rubber oring or other seal. If this part is not a rusted nut maybe its a liquid metal type of sealant

[mc-m3]

There are some great plumbing sites where you can post this question and get replies from actual plumbing experts.

[vreihen16]

Originally Posted by tranquility

What is the purpose of such putty

To keep plumbers employed when it fails after a few years.....

[catskillclimber]

oakum

[omasou]

Cannot tell for sure but it could be that pipe is rusting from the inside out.

Replace it with a brass or PVC extension.

[Andrew2]

As said above, could be Oakum

https://linseedpaint.com/buy-oakum-d...EaAgnrEALw_wcB

Or Denso tape

https://www.denso.net/product-groups...MaAoLFEALw_wcB

The rust type deposits are probably the effect of the tape`s impregnated oil - grease drying out

This type of tape has good sealing properties but agree that it should not be there in place of a correct fitting - locknut with sealing ring

[tranquility]

Tx guys. My condo's new and nothing else has changed in that area, so I'm just confused why the rust thing appeared there, esp if it served a purpose, cuz it's in the middle of the pipe not really doing anything...to the best of my basic knowledge, anyway. What would you do? There's no leak or anything, I just cleaned up the dust below but left the rusty thing there.

[spazzz]

I thought it was a kitchen, duh. First clue might have been T paper.
how does the stopper work? with a rod or push/pop? or what brand is the faucet?
generally the popup assembly would be the same brand as the faucet.
The new push/pops assembly would have a nut holding the tail piece to the threaded part.

In conclusion, whoever did it had a leak and thought he could just use some "puddy on it"
It will only get worse

[tranquility]

Originally Posted by spazzz

I thought it was a kitchen, duh. First clue might have been T paper.
how does the stopper work? with a rod or push/pop? or what brand is the faucet?
generally the popup assembly would be the same brand as the faucet.
The new push/pops assembly would have a nut holding the tail piece to the threaded part.

In conclusion, whoever did it had a leak and thought he could just use some "puddy on it"
It will only get worse

Oops, I didn't specify that thinking it didn't matter, changed it now. No worries.

It's a generic brand and a push/pop stopper.

Oh, I hope that's not right and there's no leak. *fingers crossed* Why would there be a hole when they were installing it, it's solid metal in the pipe, not sure how it could leak in that area.

[Andrew2]

The threaded section and the silver pipe are usually two separate items, which I believe is what you have ... the pipe has a slightly smaller diameter - it is fitting inside the threaded section ... the brown (rusty) tape has been used to provide an external jointing seal in the absence of the correct fittings

If you are concerned about a leak then source a plumber to correct it ... but given that there is negligible water pressure on the joint it should be OK ... maybe source some fresh Oakum / Denso tape to reseal if it does start to leak

[tranquility]

TY, wow, I didn't know and just assumed that the silver pipe is one piece. Anyway, it seems to be dry so hopefully no prbs.

[Bc2005]

I’ve never seen the exact setup you have, but it’s probably designed as a slip joint so you can adjust the length of the sink tailpiece for different sink heights. If that’s the case, it should have a washer/seal where the two pipes meet, and a nut over those threads.

What is the device below the pipe? It looks like a housing for something, but its usually just a P-trap.

[tranquility]

Originally Posted by Bc2005

What is the device below the pipe? It looks like a housing for something, but its usually just a P-trap.

The black thing? I think it's just a U-shaped pipe.

[spazzz]

The smooth chrome is probably threaded into the larger thread pipe.
The apprentice did it and forgot to use teflon tape on the threads.

I would be too darn curious and start pickin at it...lol.
A 421 Channellock pliers, teflon tape and maybe some plumbers putty is all you need to change it. The P trap would be full of water so a container to catch it when you drop the trap is always a plus.

[floridaorange]

A plumber bandaid circa 1992 evidently

[hubbahubba]

Originally Posted by tranquility

My condo's new

How new? Call the builder customer service? Maybe you get out of this without cost/effort to you if the warranty is still good?