Having an undermount kitchen sink can be advantageous for you for multiple reasons. Of them, one is undoubtedly about its sleek and modern lines. You can add it to any interior theme to create a contemporary vibe. Besides, it is more than a practical solution for a busy cooking area. When you have this setup, you don’t need to lose your sleep over issues like rusting and corrosion. You can attribute this convenience to caulking used at the time of fixing the sink. It makes the structure airtight, watertight, and so on. But wear and tear can mess up caulking, paving the way for rust and corrosion.
The main benefit of top mount fixtures is that rust and corrosion appear on the exteriors. Hence, it is easy to handle them. With undermount sink, you have to regularly check on the caulking to see if it is intact, and there are no other issues as well. Anyway, here are some suggestions to help keep this plumbing fixture as functional as always.
What are the causes of rusting in the undermount installation?
First of all, you need to know that issues like corrosion and rust happen due to a variety of reasons. For example, the oxidized metal on or under the surface can catch rust. For staying away from this issue, it is better to invest in materials like stainless steel, enamel, and granite. You can go through the collection of an undermount sink by Kraus for an idea.
These materials don’t rust or corrode naturally until there is interference from other metallic material. If you leave a cleaning utensil or a dishcloth on the surface for a long time, even on those safe materials, rusting can start. Leaving Rubber mats is also not good in that sense. Due to the accumulation of soap residue and hard water, the surface can get affected. Similarly, abrasive pads should also stay away.
As hinted above, undermount sinks tend to develop rusting in the underneath region due to the loosening of the caulk, ending up in cracks and gaps. Seepage of water or soap residues in the broken caulk can oxidize and develop rust around the drain. If not treated on time, it can harm the surface. Corrosion can also take place in the absence of proper caulking at the time of installation. If so, you cannot blame the manufacturing process for this condition.
Experts say that even high-quality stainless steel can suffer rusting issues due to negligence. Some people have the habit of keeping utensils in the sink for long hours. Under specific conditions, this can lead to corrosion. If you notice rust in the inside of the undermount sink, then you can hold some of the countertop contents responsible for the deterioration. For instance, if you use an acidic or strong chemical-based item that causes fume, you need to be careful. Hard water products, including bleach, cleaners, salt, and others, can destroy your fitting.
How to keep your undermount installation safe?
For the safety and protection of your undermount kitchen sink, you need to take a few strong measures. These are as follows:
- Keep a watch over the sealant, especially if it has become old. You may like to replace it with new to make sure rusting doesn’t develop.
- You can use stain and rust removers to clean corrosion and rust from the affected areas. The chemical should not have any contact with the surface of the sink. Also, your rust remover needs to be of high quality.
- It will be better to apply a coat on the rims of the sink.
- If possible, you can touch up the affected area with paint. Make sure you don’t touch it until it is dry.
- You can also sprinkle or spread the soapy solution on the silicone caulking. If you don’t use a sprayer, you can apply it with your fingers on the perimeter of the sink, including the caulk. If the sealant exceeds its area, use a soapy towel to remove it from there.
- Leave the caulk for a few hours. You can eliminate the soapy film later on with warm water.
Apart from rusting, you may also need to safeguard your undermount kitchen sink from the mold. The water collection between the sink and the countertop can cause mold to grow. If it gets bad, it will be difficult to remove it quickly from an undermount fixture. The leading causes of mold growth are humidity and darkness. These tend to exist underneath the sink. Due to mold, problems like leakage and malfunction can emerge. That’s why it becomes even more essential to pay attention to the caulking.
Mold commonly occurs in the joints and areas that are difficult to reach. To avoid this problem, you need to check these regions once a week. It can help you spot even the first signs of this issue. If you are unable to investigate these parts, you can take professional assistance. The professionals will not only inspect the area for the existence of mold but will also help you treat it.
Rusting, corrosion, molding, and other such problems can occur with any plumbing fixture. Undermount sink is not completely immune to this. But if you buy this product from a reputed brand and maintain it well, you don’t have to bother about anything. These sinks are inherently elegant. They can instantly elevate the modern theme of your kitchen décor.
So, whether you already have an undermount sink or planning to buy one soon, keep this knowledge with you. It will come in handy in ensuring its long and functional life. Since it is an expensive choice as it involves the installation of a supporting system too, you wouldn’t want it to degrade or deteriorate. Plus, maintaining its health can prove rewarding for many reasons. One of them is, of course, about aesthetics. Then, a healthy and hygienic basin can also go a long way in ensuring the well-being of everyone in the house.
