Demonte Sink

Perhaps the install was perfect — and the sink was cared for correctly — and all of a sudden the sink starts to rust. It’s more than likely localized in an area near the drain, or at the side of the sink where the bowl meets the side.

Where could this rust be coming from and why?

If you recall, we spoke about the metal content of stainless steel. There are certain levels of chromium and nickel needed to ensure the sink is corrosion resistant. Yes, there are standards for 304 stainless, but that doesn’t mean all sinks are being made according to the regulations required by that certification.

The majority of stainless steel sinks are manufactured in China. The Chinese, for the most part, do a fantastic job at this process; however, sometimes the almighty dollar causes problems. The price of steel was at all-time highs over the last year — as was the cost of nickel. Some factories in China opted to use less nickel, or replace the nickel with other alloys in order to make the same margins.

The result? Some sink companies in the United States who shop factories in China on best prices instead of nurturing a long-term relationship with a factory, ended up with sink products below the standard for 304 stainless steel. Due to the lower levels of chromium and nickel, these sinks are prone to corrosion and have caused a lot of controversy in the marketplace.

What does this mean for the consumer? You may have a sink to replace, but for the fabricator it may mean that you should seek out a sink supplier with a solid relationship with an off-shore factory that provides consistent, quality products.