Apres moi, le deluge

September 18, 2021 10:59 AM

Bathroom sink countertop annoyingly wet ALL OVER. Do I need to make miniature sandbags to redirect the flow? I'm looking for a solution, or ideas to lead me to one, for the problem where water from normal use of the sink (turning faucets, reaching for soap) gathers and spreads to the far corners of the countertop under which the sink is installed, setting everything else on the countertop in water. Difficulty level: rental apartment

Very standard American sink set underneath a counter that is or looks to be made of marble, though is probably faux marble. After drying the countertop thoroughly it takes less than a day for the water of washed wet hands that's run down the faucet handles to gather and flow, hither and yon. I am wondering if there's something that can be used to prevent this outwards flow and, ideally, redirect it towards the sink. Something countertop-friendly (this is a rental, I can't replace or ruin the sink).

Thanks AsksMe.

posted by armoir from antproof case to Home & Garden (7 answers total)

Eagerly awaiting solutions as I’m in the same situation. Couple of workarounds I use:

-I dry my hands before turning off the tap (very counterintuitive and wasteful, but it does eliminate that puddle)

-I keep a couple absorbent microfiber cleaning cloths (washcloth sized) convenient and make a habit of swabbing up after face washing

-I try with all my might to put my head basically IN the sink when I’m rinsing off but I can’t really say it makes a big difference
posted by kapers at 11:24 AM on September 18, 2021

Apologies in advance that this isn't what you asked, but if you don't find a preventative solution, one thing people do is use little squeegees to just quickly push the water into the basin when needed.
posted by trig at 12:01 PM on September 18, 2021

Links, in case the drenched-sink issue stems from leaks around the base of the faucet or from the handles (o-ring, cartridge replacement vids abound on YouTube - search by your "Very standard American sink set" + leaky).
posted by Iris Gambol at 12:56 PM on September 18, 2021

I don't have these or know anyone who does, but I saw them recommended on buzzfeed recently and they look handy: https://www.etsy.com/listing/811190469/faucet-splash-catcher-kitchen-faucet-bib?ref=hp_rv-1
posted by Emmy Rae at 7:04 PM on September 18, 2021

I put a clean, folded washcloth under the left tap for this reason.
I think older countertops may have been shaped to get that water to the sink. I have the same problem in the kitchen.
posted by theora55 at 6:04 AM on September 19, 2021 [1 favorite]

Seconding the folded washcloth suggestion. I have a leaky tap in my kitchen, which apparently can't be fixed without replacing the whole thing, and I mitigate by putting a folded piece of kitchen paper directly under it, hanging down into the sink. (There isn't space enough for a washcloth.)
posted by ManyLeggedCreature at 1:41 AM on September 20, 2021

Could you get access to a level? If the counter is tilted toward the wall, it could maybe be shimmed up from below so the water doesn't gravitate to problem areas.

I'd also fix the hardware as much as you can.
posted by rhizome at 10:42 AM on September 20, 2021