Mixer tap seal broke yet again.

[ipbr21054]

Hi
Is there a certain type of seal for my bath mixer taps ?
I do not know the make of the taps but i fitted them 2 years ago now.
In that time i have replaced the o ring which stops the water coming out of the gland nut twice.
The original were beyond trying to match up so i purchased a few o rings that fitted nicely over the shaft which has the tap head on.
I then done up the gland nut so when the tap was operated the nut did not turn.
Today i have noticed that one has started to drip again and having taken the head off the tap and removing the gland nut the o ring is split again.
Is there a certain type of seal i should be using ?
Are the seals i am buying to tight or to loose on the shaft ?
Am i dong the gland nut up to tight etc ?
Any help would be nice.
Tap photo supplied

 

[Burnerman]

'O' rings by their design have to sit in a machined groove on the tap spindle - simply sliding them down and tightening the gland will surely split them.
I don't know which design these tap spindles have, but usually a packing made from a good few turns of ptfe tape does the same job.
John

 

[ipbr21054]

Hi
When i remove the gland nut the shaft i am fitting the o ring over is not removed.
There is no grove to fit the o ring.
I understand what you are saying with the ptfe but i cant get in the recess to apply it.
The o rings last around 7 months each.
I have just purchased some more as i need to use the bath.
If i use vasalene on the shaft will that allow the shaft to rotate in the o ring or will it catch it straight away and tear it ?
Just thinking that a dry o ring will catch on the shaft in no tim.

 

[Madrab]

Lubricate the o-ring and shaft. Don't use anything petroleum based on water fittings. Always use a silicon based lubricant, silicon grease being the best.

 

[ipbr21054]

ok
many thanks.

 

[Whitespirit66]

Aye, this is what you want.

http://www.stevensonplumbing.co.uk/silicone-grease.html

As said, you're probably shooting yourself in the foot by using petroleum based lubricants.