Stiff Mixer Taps

[Telegraphy]

Hello.
The taps themselves are OK; it is the movable arm that gets so stiff and difficult to move. I have stripped it down on numerous occasions cleaned it and put it back, but it always gets stiffer and stiffer to move. Yesterday I put some less thick 'O' rings on, it moved fine them but leaked a lot. I returned the original two 'O' rings and it worked OK but within minutes it was almost too stiff to move. It is almost as if the 'O' rings expand or absorb water and expand?
Thanks.
Paul

 

[gas4you]

have you tried new o rings of the correct size? Tap washers and o rings can sometimes expand when in contact with hot water if they are old.

 

[ChrisR]

Tried GREASE??! Silicone grease is best but vaseline is better than nowt.

 

[Telegraphy]

Tried GREASE??! Silicone grease is best but vaseline is better than nowt.

Hello.
Yes tried all types of grease. Works OK for literally minutes, but then it just gets stiffer and stiffer. This morning you could hardly move the arm. Suspect it is down to low quality ‘O’ rings.
Paul