Strange thing -- scattered black flakes (debries) on my bath sink

16 years ago

Hi All,

I recently redo 3 bathroom sinks. All seems to be working fine, no leaks. But the one in the basement bathroom has something strange almost every night. We don't know when it occurs, but every morning, there will be a loosely scattered of tiny black flakes of some sort cover the sink bowl. We would clean it, but next day, it comes again. This can not be from the ceiling, because the ceiling is all closed by drywall, newly painted and no holes. This is not a sewage backup either, because this dusky flakes are very dry and can be washed off easily. The drainage system is functioning fine, with all parts including the gooseneck PVC connected properly, and no leack at all. So what is this strange thing keep happening? What should I do to solve this problem? Again, this is the only of of the 3 new sinks that has the problems. I should say though this is the only Pedestal Sink that we installed, the other two are regular sinks, if that would make any difference. Also, this seems to happen at night, though I can't be 100% sure. Thank you in advance for any help or suggestions.

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Comments (11)

davidandkasie
16 years ago
easy way to tell if it is coming up out the drain is to close the plunger so that no water can go in/out. if something is backing up, it won't get in that way. if the backup is severe enough, it will flow thru the overflow, but leave water inthe drain the next morning.
you can stand down there and watch the sink while others get their nightly showers/baths to see if it is a slow backup.

or you can disconnect the drain from below the sink and put a bucket there. if it has water in it the next mornign, then you know your line is backing up during nightly baths/showers/toilet use.
annie-lee
Original Author
16 years ago
Thank you so much David. I will try a few things that you suggested and post back. Just a quick question, what could be the reason, if it turn out to be the backing up and how to resolve this problem?
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homebound
16 years ago
It would back up if there is a clog in the line. Snake, etc. is the way to go, hoping it's a simple fix.

I had a basement shower that did the same thing, since it was the low point. Using the basement kitchen sink in the next room would cause the shower drain to back up, leaving that crud. I snaked unsuccessfully, and then had to use a strong chemical drain opener. (IF you do go that route, use a funnel to pour the chemical into the drain without any splash or anything to etch the nice, shiny metal. One more thing - follow the directions and heed the precautions.)
brickeyee
16 years ago
Sprinkle some salt in the sink.
It will dissolve if any water touches it.
Rashid Taufiq
3 years ago
Could the hot water tank be the culprit? If it has not been drained and cleaned for a while, mineral salt might dissolve in the water. In the sink, overnight the water evaporates and leaves the blackish grey water stain marks.

I have a similar problem that is noticeable in one sink which was recently installed. The water in the sink does leave some water droplets after a hand wash due to the sink style which tilts only slightly towards the drain.

I wonder if what I wrote above could be the reason. Any thoughts?
Newideas
3 years ago
Is the sink properly vented?
kudzu9
3 years ago
I'm not sure if the OP who wrote this 12 years ago is still needing help... ;-)
Ken Potter
3 years ago
I have the same mysterious issue in my basement bathroom sink. First, I thought it was mouse poop, but today I found it again and looked closer. It's like reddish colored slivers. There's no backup issues. Very weird.
Tracy Lash
11 months ago
Definitely black flakes on the floor of a dry shower. It seems the shower needs to be try for at least two or three days before they appear.
Kate
11 months ago
Is it just in the sink? Could it be blowing through a vent that comes on at night near the sink or an open window.
Tracy Lash
11 months ago
MIne is just on the dry shower floor. It looks like black ash. I honestly thought it might have been cancer ridden dead skin from my dad. He was the only one that used the shower before he passed away last August of cancer. Since I have been staying with my mom and using the shower, I have not seen it until today. The whole shower is tile, the ceiling too. It is on the second floor, so I do not believe anything is backing up in the drain. Very weird!

Strange thing -- scattered black flakes (debries) on my bath sink

Comments (11)

davidandkasie

annie-lee
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Strange thing -- scattered black flakes (debries) on my bath sink

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annie-leeOriginal Author

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annie-lee
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