Swirl Bathroom Basin Contract Tap Reviver Kit

Taps typically are designed for ceramic inserts or for conventional rubber washers. The ceramic insert taps are normally quarter turn between off and full on, whereas the rubber washer taps normally require a few turns between off and full on.

If you have rubber washer taps, it may be an idea to also recut the seats.

Thanks. Yes, the existing taps are rubber washer, and I have recut the seats, as well as replaced the washers. The problem is mainly that, whenever I dismantle the tap and rebuild, it is fine for a week or two, but becomes progressively more difficult to open and close.

I'm tempted, for the sake of a tenner, to try the Swirl kit and see if that helps.

I had issues with a tap that had a badly cast seat that would rip washers to shreds. I carried on with the cutter a lot past where it felt smoother

It is possible to replace more than just the washers. e.g.

OK, thanks. Worth a try, as I cannot make it worse than it is now :-)

I have the same problem.

I'm in a hard water area and always assumed that the problem is limescale build up on the valve stem.

I've noticed that it gets particularly bad if I only partially open the tap. I've found that fully opening the tap on a regular basis helps.

We are in a very soft water area. Never need to descale kettle or iron etc.

I'll give that a try, thanks.

Years ago, I used a reviver kit on a kitchen tap. I think it was 1/2", but can't really remember.