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Household Chemicals and Hardware Corrosion
Question
 Click here for higher quality, full size image A picture of the plumbing.  Click here for higher quality, full size image The knob screw.  Click here for higher quality, full size image The turn off.  Click here for higher quality, full size image Forum Responses
From contributor J: I think you have some ammonia, muratic acid, or chlorine bleach gas trapped or stored in the sink base. From contributor S: It is a chemical reaction. I had the same problem with two hinges in an upper cabinet that had an open container of vinegar stored in it. From the original questioner: It just seems odd to me that in 20 years I've never had another client experience anything similar. We all have cleaners, why isn't this more common? From contributor R: More than likely they left the tops off or open on one or more of the aforementioned items. You can dissolve many metals with standard household chemical solutions. If that container is ""sealed"" they could have a very dangerous/explosive situation. From contributor A: The one item that comes to mind is muriatic acid, aka hydrochloric acid. It is probably the most aggressive chemical that can be found in a hardware store. Most people leave it in a garage and it eats through the metal shelving near it. The containers have a hard time keeping in the aggression once opened. From contributor G: Another possibility if they are home wine makers, is sodium sulfite, used to make sterilizing solution and is corrosive as all get out. Even in the dry state, it will corrode nearby metals if in an enclosed area. From contributor JD: On the coast of SC and in the Caribbean where I have worked this would be normal in houses that are left open to the elements. The good news is your hinge was not the culprit! From contributor R: My local hardware store used to store the pool chemicals next to metal cans of stains. They had to move the pool chemicals because every can of stain on the shelf rusted. My guess is that there is an open container or bleach in the cabinet. From contributor W: By the looks of that knob screw, the butt hinges would have been ruined as well. From contributor A: Those beautiful Brusso polished brass butt hinges would turn a very nice green patina in those environments.
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