Re: Reconditioning dripping ceramic disc tap?

snipped-for-privacy@gmail.com laid this down on his screen :

Limescale forms on the ceramic sealing surface, particularly on the hot taps - try soaking in limescale removal solution overnight. Acetic acid is a good limescale remover.

He probably did try it 16 years ago!

Some good news about the repair of these wretched ceramic quarter turn tap cartridge valves - THEY CAN BE REPAIRED! Kev above is 100% correct.

I had previously repeatedly removed the cartridges, dismantled and inspected them, cleaned, de-calc'd the parts in a variety of fluids, greased them back up and replaced them - only for a drip to reappear.

The tell-tale was that only the coloured rubber end seals (like a bloated grommet/washer and both white in my case) looked slightly distorted, where each has been forced against the tap body, as they get tightened up.

So, I tweaked the sensible advice above about adding a washer but I have replaced the original white end-seal with a slightly thicker but same diameter black ordinary plumbers sealing washer. I actually got mine from Halfords - they sell them in a mixed box for about £8 for a hundred red fibre and black washers.

It makes the tap operation feel slightly more resistant but smoother and most importantly - no bl**dy drips. It should stay fixed for another nine years and if not - I'll just replace the washers again. They look to be the only part that can ever actually wear as the ceramic should last forever, the brass casing looks pristine and the plastic parts are all greased and only travel a maximum of a quarter-turn in each direction.

My sincere thanks to everyone that pointed the way. I previously discovered the make and model of my tap and the replacement cartridges (£32 & £4 delivery) but I've saved that and since I already had the Halfords kit, for the car, I reckon the fix entailed, some standard cleaning fluid, some plumbers grease and two rubber washers.

Now, where's my celebratory beer...?..?