Rust on new "stainless" floor drain

SH68 · 8 Jan 2019 at 9:30 PM

Our floor drain from the brand Tebo has rusted after 3 years. It is apparently made of "Non-acid resistant" stainless steel. It was our bathroom contractor who installed it during the bathroom renovation.

What kind of acid could cause this? We have only used shampoo, soap, and possibly something like Ajax or soapy water for floor cleaning, but it hasn't been done often. The rust started on the underside of the grate and then spread.

The supplier offers to send a special cleaning agent and sponge to remove the rust...what do you think, will it help? Personally, I don't think it will. What do you think we should do? Considering buying a new cover and see if the same thing happens with it.

Nyfniken · 8 Jan 2019 at 9:32 PM

Stop peeing in the shower.

SH68 · 8 Jan 2019 at 9:38 PM

Nyfniken said:
Stop peeing in the shower.

Are you trying to be funny now or?

Peter2400 · 8 Jan 2019 at 9:39 PM

Wouldn't it be better if they sent you a new acid-resistant strainer, regular stainless steel obviously doesn't work for you, https://www.tebo.se/golvbrunnssil-tokyo-lux-316-202020-sv/article

SH68 · 8 Jan 2019 at 9:42 PM

Thanks for the tip! Although I like the design of the old one better... if one should care about that...

Nyfniken · 8 Jan 2019 at 11:19 PM

S SH68 said:
Are you trying to be funny now or what?

No. Urine is acidic which promotes rust.

Stefan N · 9 Jan 2019 at 8:43 AM

S SH68 said:
Thanks for the tip! Although I like the design of the old one better... if one should care about that...

London is the name of your model if you want the same one.

BirgitS · 9 Jan 2019 at 12:57 PM

Nyfniken said:
No. Urine is acidic which favors rust.

No, urine has a pH value of approx. 6.2, i.e., not particularly acidic. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Urine#pH

S SH68 said:
What kind of acid could do this? We've only used shampoo, soap, and possibly something like Ajax or soapy water when mopping the floor, but it hasn't been done often.

Never used any specific cleaning agent to remove lime deposits?

Stefan1972 · 9 Jan 2019 at 1:05 PM

Isn't it just a matter of sanding it down with a Scotch-Brite pad or sandpaper and moving on with life? It's just a stainless steel sheet, right? You could high-gloss polish it too, maybe it will hold up better then?

JSE · 9 Jan 2019 at 1:07 PM

Stainless steel is unfortunately not completely stainless. The only advice I can give is to try to find a lid in 316 SS instead of the 304 SS you have now. Both variants are stainless, but 316 is referred to as acid-resistant. 316 SS, unlike 304 SS, contains molybdenum, which provides much better protection against rust.

SH68 · 20 Jan 2019 at 6:05 PM

BirgitS said:
No, urine has a pH value of approx. 6.2, i.e., not particularly acidic. [link]

Never used any particular cleaning agent to remove lime deposits?

SH68 · 20 Jan 2019 at 6:09 PM

S Stefan1972 said:
Can't you just sand it off with a Scotch-Brite pad or sandpaper and move on with life? It's just a stainless steel sheet, right? You could also high-gloss polish it, maybe it would hold up better then?

Sandpaper might not be so good, as it could scratch the steel.

Husqvarna220Ac · 20 Jan 2019 at 6:09 PM

Blast and powder coat..

SH68 · 20 Jan 2019 at 6:14 PM

H Husqvarna220Ac said:
Sandblast and powder coat..

Thanks but then I think I'd rather buy a new lid for a couple of hundred kronor...

SH68 · 20 Jan 2019 at 6:16 PM

BirgitS said:
No, urine has a pH value that is approx. 6.2, i.e., not particularly acidic. [link]

Never used any special cleaning agent to remove lime deposits?