Mysterious mess on kitchen floor

[Rgarner]

This morning I saw something spilled on the floor near the sink, bbq sauce maybe. I cleaned it up, no big deal. Later it was back. I cleaned it again but this time I looked under the sink, although I didn't find much. I wonder if it could somehow be leaking out on the floor from there, but it didn't seem wet.

 

[GameTheory]

This morning I saw something spilled on the floor near the sink, bbq sauce maybe. I cleaned it up, no big deal. Later it was back. I cleaned it again but this time I looked under the sink, although I didn't find much. I wonder if it could somehow be leaking out on the floor from there, but it didn't seem wet.

Tape some paper towels around the sink pipe joints. If there's a leak, they'll get wet/stained and you'll know where.

While we're at it, since you say it's "near the sink" and not under, look up and make sure the ceiling is not leaking.

 

[Dannydet]

Gametheory is right, check your ceiling

 

[Rgarner]

I looked up and it seemed normal. Maybe tomorrow I'll get some paper towels and go for it. What kind of tape should I use?

 

[GameTheory]

What kind of tape should I use?

Any tape you have lying around the house should do. If you don't have tape, you could even use some string.

 

[MoodyBlues]

Any tape you have lying around the house should do. If you don't have tape, you could even use some string.

Right. It doesn't matter what you use @Rgarner. A rag tied with string around it, an old towel and Scotch tape, whatever. It's just to catch and show you if there's any leakage.

 

[Rgarner]

It seems to have stopped. That's a relief. Now what do I do about the smell? I guess tea tree oil might work, but I don't know.

 

[dontpanicbobby]

Rust mixed with water looks a lot like barbeque sauce. Any rusty pipes or joints?

 

[Rgarner]

Since they're plastic, it doesn't seem likely. It's probably not pvc, though, because it's black. Can that still rust somehow?

 

[dontpanicbobby]

Flake. The word is; Flake...
Just paint and water doesn't sound right though. Turpentine dissolves paint: Alcohol can too. Do you store cleansers under your sink?

 

[Rgarner]

Sure, who doesn't? I'm pretty sure there isn't any alcohol or turpentine, though. I can't absolutely guarantee what might or might not have been poured down the drain.

 

[Bearsyzf]

probably a midnight eater .

 

[Rgarner]

How do I get rid of the smell? I think it's mold or mildew. Would tea tree oil work?

 

[olbriar]

A super clean with a disinfectant would be my choice.

 

[MoodyBlues]

How do I get rid of the smell? I think it's mold or mildew.

If you're dealing with mold, you may have a very serious--and dangerous--situation.

Going back through this thread has really made me wonder what it actually is. First, it looked like BBQ sauce and cleaned right up. Then it came back. Then pipes and ceilings came into the picture. Now rust, or mold, or mildew.

I can't fathom any scenario involving rust, mold, or mildew spontaneously, and on multiple occasions, causing a big blob of what looks like BBQ sauce "on the floor near the sink." AND that has a terrible, lingering smell.

I don't know, but I think you're barking up the wrong tree.

 

[Rgarner]

I think it has stopped, and I'm pretty sure it wasn't actually food. The smell is apparently under the sink and not on the floor itself. I'm hoping this will be the end of it, but I still want to get it at least deodorized.

 

[dontpanicbobby]

Open a box of baking soda under there.