Rust under sink faucet handles

All-
I'm dealing with a strange situation here. I have a pedestal sink in the master bath. The faucets were installed about 5 years ago. We've had a problem with rust forming under the outer edge of the cold water handle. Now it's started forming around the hot water handle as well.

I have no idea what is causing this. There is no leak evident (but the pipes are all under the sink anyway, right?). Could the cartridge in the handle be leaking and sending a small amount of water up to the handle, which then gathers under the handle and forms rust?

You'll notice there's no such rust under the spigot, which is where I might expect moisture to gather. The bath is well vented with both a fan and a window, not to mention an HVAC vent.

I am open to any ideas. Thanks for your help.

Looks like the manufacturer used steel someplace they shouldn't have...
Or, they weren't sealed well enough at the base...
What brand are those faucets?

Hi Redwood! Thanks for the input. I cannot recall the brand but will have a search of the files completed to see what info is available from this work. I believe all of the warranty info was saved. I think it's a Lowe's store brand.

I was wondering if we should have put plumbers putty under the handles, but I recall the directions said not to do that.

Might just be time for a "faucet remodel"!

Most putty is NOT safe for porcelain type materials, as they stain them. I'm glad you haven't just gone ahead and done that!. The moisture/rust could also be from condensation as well as like Redwood said, there is some steel somewhere.. a nut or just a crappy alloy.

I'd at least take the handles off and see exactly what it is. If it is a nut, it has probably contaminated the rest of the stainless/chrome so the whole handle would have to be replaced. The finish on that faucet doesn't look very good either. If you have a lifetime warranty on the finish, I'd go after it.

There are cleaners available to clean the rust stains off the sink before you put a new faucet back on.

You may want to pressure test your connections once you install the new faucet as well, just to make sure there are no leaks at all.

No putty installed yet. Thanks for the tip. We're trying to locate the owners manual but not having luck yet.

Can't tell for sure from the pictures, but if it is more pinkish than red, it could be a bacteria and not rust.

bronsonb said:

All-
I'm dealing with a strange situation here. I have a pedestal sink in the master bath. The faucets were installed about 5 years ago. We've had a problem with rust forming under the outer edge of the cold water handle. Now it's started forming around the hot water handle as well.

I have no idea what is causing this. There is no leak evident (but the pipes are all under the sink anyway, right?). Could the cartridge in the handle be leaking and sending a small amount of water up to the handle, which then gathers under the handle and forms rust?

You'll notice there's no such rust under the spigot, which is where I might expect moisture to gather. The bath is well vented with both a fan and a window, not to mention an HVAC vent.

I am open to any ideas. Thanks for your help.

Click to expand...

Did you find the brand and model of this widespread faucet. I have the same model and need help to find this info because the tags and usual identifications are missing!

Something to consider…if the problem is only cosmetic, get a bottle of CLR (or other rust remover), and just clean it up every month or so. A real fix would certainly be better, but CLR might be a lot less work.

Had the same problem faucet had plain steel nuts holding them to the sink.

Fitter30 said:

Had the same problem faucet had plain steel nuts holding them to the sink.

Click to expand...

I have the same problem . . . hot water only . . . and it drips. Was your faucet fixable?
Just found this with Google Lens . . . https://www.plumbersstock.com/pfister-940-029s-part-handle-4in-pgw-hex-ss-stainless-steel.html

Ms.K said:

I have the same problem . . . hot water only . . . and it drips. Was your faucet fixable?
Just found this with Google Lens . . . https://www.plumbersstock.com/pfister-940-029s-part-handle-4in-pgw-hex-ss-stainless-steel.html


View attachment 87624

Click to expand...

Found this . . . https://www.pfisterfaucets.com/bath...espread-bathroom-faucet?modelNumber=GT49-DK00

AlanHall said:

Did you find the brand and model of this widespread faucet. I have the same model and need help to find this info because the tags and usual identifications are missing!

Click to expand...

Found this . . .
https://www.pfisterfaucets.com/bath...espread-bathroom-faucet?modelNumber=GT49-DK00