I'm having a persistent issue with rust forming around my bathroom drain. I've replaced the drain twice, and while the rust situation has improved with a Kohler model compared to a Glacier Bay one, there's still some rust present. I suspect the problem may be related to the design of the porcelain and the drain, which might be causing water to pool in a way that promotes rust. I've tried using both plumbers putty and silicone. Do you think a larger drain cover might help, or is there another underlying issue I should look into?
3 Answers
It's definitely a tough issue! Given that you’re using town water and mentioned it might be hard, perhaps the minerals in your water could be contributing to the problem too. While exploring new drain covers, consider one made of different materials that resist staining better. There are plastic options designed specifically to prevent rust—definitely ask around for those!
You mentioned it might be the flanges—are you sure it's rust and not just a red residue? Sometimes, it can be from standing water evaporating, which might appear reddish. If that’s the case, you might want to look into using a drain cover with a wider lip to help redirect water and avoid pooling. Have you considered checking online for better drain cover options? Sometimes they have more variety than local stores!
It sounds like you might have high iron content in your water. When ferrous ions from the water come into contact with oxygen, they oxidize and create that reddish color—kind of like what happens to your toilet if it gets neglected. It might be worth giving your local water department a call to check your iron levels. If they're over 1 or 2 ppm, that could definitely explain the discoloration, but it’s usually not a health risk, just an aesthetic one.