On 27 Nov 2005 06:08:02 -0800, werwer wrote:
The spigot in the bath tub has a nylon tube that fits over the copper
delivery pipe. You screw the spigot, which has a water blocking
device for the shower, on to this. That nylon tube has two o-rings
which hold the back pressure when the water is blocked.

Hardware store said use plumbers grease on these rings. Won't grease
cause the "rubber" to deteriorate? I put silicon grease on them
instead. Seems to work fine .. now. Was that ok to do?...

Plumber's grease or faucet grease should not deteriorate rubber. After
all, what would need lubrication on plumbing other than a shaft that goes
through an O-ring seal or other packing?

Some types of faucet grease are silicone, but that often comes in a little
tub instead of a tube. If it is very viscous I use it sparingly (just a
thin film).

I hear that Vasoline should NOT be used for rubber. It is also strange
that lithium grease says it is waterproof, but tends to get stiff and not
slide very well when wet, so do not use that.

Water departments actually use a food grade edible grease (some
sort of non-toxic fat). Not sure what preservative it uses to stop it
from going rancid.