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      Yesterday, 05:53 PM   #1
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What the heck is this rusty thing underneath the sink?

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?
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      Yesterday, 06:29 PM   #2
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Looks like plumber putty. But, I don't think plumbers' putty would disintegrate
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      Yesterday, 06:51 PM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mosaud1998 View Post
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.
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      Yesterday, 07:43 PM   #4
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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.
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      Yesterday, 07:58 PM   #5
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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.
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      Yesterday, 09:14 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 2000cs View Post
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.
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      Yesterday, 11:37 PM   #7
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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
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      Today, 12:34 AM   #8
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There are some great plumbing sites where you can post this question and get replies from actual plumbing experts.
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