Kitchen taps - ceramic or rubber washers?

wazza

I am replacing my kitchen taps. Have narrowed it down to two styles. One is a quater turn using ceramic washers and the other is the normal multi turn using rubber washers.

Which are more durable? Ceramic or rubber washers?

My old taps use rubber and it is years before I have to replace them. I have no expereince with ceramics.

Thanks.

macman

Ceramics valves were designed so as to avoid the eventual issues that arise with rubber tap washers wearing out and dripping.

cyclonebri1

And then you throw them away when they need resealing?? Sorry, cynical reply, but there is an element of fact in that.


Plus, some ceramic taps need a higher water pressure to work correctly.

Avoriaz

wazza wrote: »

I am replacing my kitchen taps. Have narrowed it down to two styles. One is a quater turn using ceramic washers and the other is the normal multi turn using rubber washers.

Which are more durable? Ceramic or rubber washers?

My old taps use rubber and it is years before I have to replace them. I have no expereince with ceramics.

Thanks.

I don't really know but I prefer quarter turn taps to the multi turn taps for ease of use so I recommend them.

We had quarter turn taps installed in our kitchen in 1993 and it was over 12 years before they needed attention.

roddydogs

When old style taps drip, itll cost you 20p for a washer, when ceramic discs drip (They all do eventually) It cost you ££s, thats if you can get the discs.!!

System

roddydogs wrote: »

When old style taps drip, itll cost you 20p for a washer, when ceramic discs drip (They all do eventually) It cost you ££s, thats if you can get the discs.!!

+1 to that.

I have taps with ceramic washers in my downstairs loo. They were there when we moved in. One of them is now dripping (cold tap luckily).

I have no idea of the maker and there are so many different ceramic discs available that the cheapest/easiest option, when I get around to it, is to replace the taps. Also I can not work out how the £$%$ they come apart to change the disc. I may go for ceramic again but buy spare discs at the same time

diywhynot

Buy name brands taps e.g Bristan (ceramic disc or traditional 'elastomeric seal') and spares will be available. Buy cheap tat and good luck.;)

More here[URL="event:pageto:1300454545242"].[/URL]

fiscalfreckles

Ceramic washers break/crumble after a while & I have found it near impossible to find a replacement for mine, so looks like I have to replace the whole tap unit, which is a pain & expensive.
However this is because I have no idea of the brand of tap etc (it was there when I moved in) - if you go for ceramic then make sure you know where you can get replacements from.
Mine lasted about 8 years if that helps.

mart.vader

True enough about ceramic, and all the manufacturers seem to prefer different sizes.

I read that you could repair dripping ceramic taps by dismantling and smearing Vaseline between the ceramic discs, but I tried it, and it turns out this only works for a few months or so.

Here is a link I picked up from this site that may help:

http://www.shop.lunns.net/tap-spares-8-c.asp

wazza

Thanks for the useful info. I think I will stick to rubbeir washers.

CKdesigner

Oh come on guys!

You'll be saying cook on an open fire cos its more reliable than an multi-function oven next!

The better tap makes really only do ceramic discs, they dropped rubber washers years ago.

CK