1/4 turn ceramic cartridge life

I can imagine that fine tolerances are involved. Limescale buildup must be a problem, and tiny differences in manufacture could affect the lifetime considerably.

I regard Bristan as a reputable firm, and they suggested soaking the cartridge in vinegar, but they did not mention greasing it. In the end, though, they sent out a pair of new cartridges under warranty.

It's much cheaper to get a new tap than a new wife ...

I had a Bristan mixer tap with ceramic valves at previous property. I had to de-scale the valves regularly to avoid drips, had to buy a valve puller to get them out for the first de-scale!

After a year? Yes.

I replaced a dripping cartridge some years ago, and on examining the old one carefully, there was a thin film of limestone over part of it. I would think that was the reason for the drip, and if either cartridge fails again, I will try the old ones again (never throw any plumbing parts away unless obviously broken).

I used citric acid to remove the limescale, but of course vinegar will also work. Grease might be involved on the moving metal parts, but not on anything in contact with the water, which must remain pure enough to drink.

Unless you count living in a high limescale area unlucky no.

Grease is not necessary. But constant working to clear the scale buildup is. I was so sick of all this that a water softener was on my 'have to have' list for the new house.

The only tap with scale is of course the unfiltered cold water sink tap

yeah. constant passage of hard water is the culprit. Sometimes working the tap fully on and off a few hundred times clears the scale

If you don't want to replace it, you can do what I did once for an inoperative shower unit,

I stripped it and put it in a plastic food container and filled it full of 'appliance descaler'

After many years this one is the best compromise between 'attacks the scale and 'also attacks chrome' and is avialable at the supermarket

You can buy that online in powder form at amazon etc. In bulk,

Its much cheaper to get a new tap than get rid of an *old* wife.

-- "Socialist governments traditionally do make a financial mess. They always run out of other people's money. It's quite a characteristic of them"

Margaret Thatcher

As stated, the previous cartridge was already in when we moved in over

The recommendation is to grease:

Noted

I'm happy to replace it for a cartridge that will last the 10+ years the previous one did.

I'll try a longer soak in citric acid.