Q:: Pink Staining in Toilets, Showers and Sinks:
A:: This is a frequent customer complaint. From our experience and from previous replies to the AWWA (American Water Works Association) forum for water quality the consensus is that there are several potential sources.
- A common bacteria with the name Serratia marcescens. It is airborne and likes warm and wet or humid surfaces and is ubiquitous in such areas as toilet bowls, shower doors, drains, etc. It is also known for it's reddish color.
- A yeast with the name Rhodotorula rubra inhabitants of moist skin and can be recovered from such environmental sources as shower curtains, bathroom grout, tooth brushes etc. This particular yeast is red/pink (rubra).
Solution to this problem
- Frequent use of household cleaners, formulated for use in the bathroom. This will kill off bacteria and yeast spores. Followed by;
- Increase air circulation around affected area's to insure area dries out thoroughly between uses
It was pinkish but now it's brownish black!
- As either of these two causes of pink staining die off, they naturally begin to decay, it is their transformation which exhibits a change in color. Such as green summer leaves turning colors in the fall due to the chlorophyll dieing off.