I have recently noticed a couple of faucets becoming rusty, almost barnacle looking. Is there a piece of hardware missing? Is this unsafe? Thank you!

Yes it is unsafe. If you have an open wound or get one fron the "barnacle" you may need a tetnus shot. They are cheap and easy to replace. Replacing hint: plastic will not rust in the future. There are some very stylish ones at any Home Depot, Lowe's, or whatever your local one is.

I have recently noticed a couple of faucets becoming rusty, almost barnacle looking. Is there a piece of hardware missing? Is this unsafe? Thank you!
Nothging missing and I think the movie queens fears are gouundless, and here's why. 1) since all faucets are made of chrome over brass and brass doesn't rust, I believe a high iron oxide content in your water, (pump or city water?) and that's what's staining your faucets. And 2) I also think that that stuff you call "barnacles" are mineral build up and nothing more. If your water doesn't smell or taste bad you should be OK. Simply clean the rust off with some4CLR and scrape the minerals down and you should be just fine. Good luck, Tom

Yes this is very dangerous do not drink or bathe in anhy water that has rust on the faucet:mad:

If you go inland from my area you will run into wells with a high Iron 0xide content also a high Sulfur content. Nobody got sick, There is no danger and Baby's post gave you bad advice. The only reason I didn't delete is, while it was bad advice, it wasn't dangerous advice. It was simply not so and misleading to the asker. Regards, Tom

Ladies, we realized you are trying to help but you need to stick with what you know for sure based on facts, plumbing facts. In addition to what Tom told you I think your faucet connectins have a very slight leak allowing water to weep out and evaporate allowing the build up.

Hi Riordan1,

I agree with speedball1 and ballengerb1 they have a lot of plumbing experience we should listen to them, will share my experience with you 2 years ago one of my frind had the same problem with his faucets I found a small leak fixed the leak and cleaned the rust with a wir brush, no more rust and it still work s fine.