ceramic valve mixer tap very stiff

[sm_jamieson]

I have a pillar style mixer tap with a ceramic valve in the downstairs loo. The tap had had been stored in a garage for a couple of years, if that is relevant. It is just very stiff to operate, and in fact guests cannot actually use it. The small chrome operating rod unscrews and at the bottom of the hole is an allen key socket that I presume enables the tap top to be removed and the valves accessed. I've not opened up one of these taps before. Why would such a tap be unduly stiff to operate, and what are the chances of fixing it ? Thanks, Simon.

[John Rumm]

Fair chance of a fix - either directly or by replacement ceramic cartridge.

If you take the cartridge out. Remove the C clip from the top of its shaft, you should be able to disassemble it. Clean and lightly grease (silicone) the discs and reassemble. That may fix the problem.