The problem with these groups is that there are many questions and
very few answers. To clear my conscience from a previous posted
question, here's an unsolicited answer that might be useful to someone
down the line:

You can rebuild your Moen (and other manufacturer's) faucet valves by
cleaning the existing parts well and then reapplying the RIGHT KIND of
o-ring grease. Unfortunately, places like Home Depot will mindlessly
sell you "plumber's grease" in little white tubs from companies like
Rec-O-Seal which are NOT for use on rubber, but don't say that
anywhere on the container. These petroleum-based greases will cause
the valve to stick if not used for a couple minutes, although if you
work the stem it will temporarily appear to be well-lubricated.

If you buy grease that specifically states "silicone grease" or "for
use on rubber o-rings", it'll work like new and you'll extend the life
of your value indefinitely. My valves are 20 years old and work as
well as a new valve insert, and the o-rings are still like new.

That being said, if you are a contractor and can pass off the cost to
the homeowner, the $13 inserts are the way to go. But as a homeowner,
I saved about $150 in parts alone by redoing the valves myself.

Bill wrote:

The problem with these groups is that there are many questions and
very few answers. To clear my conscience from a previous posted
question, here's an unsolicited answer that might be useful to someone
down the line:

You can rebuild your Moen (and other manufacturer's) faucet valves by
cleaning the existing parts well and then reapplying the RIGHT KIND of
o-ring grease. Unfortunately, places like Home Depot will mindlessly
sell you "plumber's grease" in little white tubs from companies like
Rec-O-Seal which are NOT for use on rubber, but don't say that
anywhere on the container. These petroleum-based greases will cause
the valve to stick if not used for a couple minutes, although if you
work the stem it will temporarily appear to be well-lubricated.

If you buy grease that specifically states "silicone grease" or "for
use on rubber o-rings", it'll work like new and you'll extend the life
of your value indefinitely. My valves are 20 years old and work as
well as a new valve insert, and the o-rings are still like new.

That being said, if you are a contractor and can pass off the cost to
the homeowner, the $13 inserts are the way to go. But as a homeowner,
I saved about $150 in parts alone by redoing the valves myself
A contractor looses money when trying to save the homeowner money on
fixing parts or something.... if you do it yourself you and nickel and
dime it yourself, but when in business you have to replace the whole
parts and get out of there and go on to the next job... ever see an
appliance repairman taking a timer out and playing around trying to ge
it it work??? no, he just replaces the timer.....an auto mech. does not
take the spark plugs out and cleans them off and puts them back in.. he
just puts new plugs in....

Bill posted for all of us....

The problem with these groups is that there are many questions and
very few answers. To clear my conscience from a previous posted
question, here's an unsolicited answer that might be useful to someone
down the line:

You can rebuild your Moen (and other manufacturer's) faucet valves by
cleaning the existing parts well and then reapplying the RIGHT KIND of
o-ring grease. Unfortunately, places like Home Depot will mindlessly
sell you "plumber's grease" in little white tubs from companies like
Rec-O-Seal which are NOT for use on rubber, but don't say that
anywhere on the container. These petroleum-based greases will cause
the valve to stick if not used for a couple minutes, although if you
work the stem it will temporarily appear to be well-lubricated.

If you buy grease that specifically states "silicone grease" or "for
use on rubber o-rings", it'll work like new and you'll extend the life
of your value indefinitely. My valves are 20 years old and work as
well as a new valve insert, and the o-rings are still like new.

That being said, if you are a contractor and can pass off the cost to
the homeowner, the $13 inserts are the way to go. But as a homeowner,
I saved about $150 in parts alone by redoing the valves myself.

Yeah, big savings since Moen will send new parts free...
--
Tekkie

This silicone grease is usually available from swimming pool stores. It's
used quite extensively on pool valves.

Exactly how today's society is such a disposable society.
It will some day catch up with society.
Iowa883
3rd generation "Auto Recycler"


"jim" wrote in message ...
Bill wrote:

The problem with these groups is that there are many questions and
very few answers. To clear my conscience from a previous posted
question, here's an unsolicited answer that might be useful to someone
down the line:

You can rebuild your Moen (and other manufacturer's) faucet valves by
cleaning the existing parts well and then reapplying the RIGHT KIND of
o-ring grease. Unfortunately, places like Home Depot will mindlessly
sell you "plumber's grease" in little white tubs from companies like
Rec-O-Seal which are NOT for use on rubber, but don't say that
anywhere on the container. These petroleum-based greases will cause
the valve to stick if not used for a couple minutes, although if you
work the stem it will temporarily appear to be well-lubricated.

If you buy grease that specifically states "silicone grease" or "for
use on rubber o-rings", it'll work like new and you'll extend the life
of your value indefinitely. My valves are 20 years old and work as
well as a new valve insert, and the o-rings are still like new.

That being said, if you are a contractor and can pass off the cost to
the homeowner, the $13 inserts are the way to go. But as a homeowner,
I saved about $150 in parts alone by redoing the valves myself
A contractor looses money when trying to save the homeowner money on
fixing parts or something.... if you do it yourself you and nickel and
dime it yourself, but when in business you have to replace the whole
parts and get out of there and go on to the next job... ever see an
appliance repairman taking a timer out and playing around trying to ge
it it work??? no, he just replaces the timer.....an auto mech. does not
take the spark plugs out and cleans them off and puts them back in.. he
just puts new plugs in....

just curious: shouldn't the grease be labeled "food grade" if your going to
be drinking from the faucet? Not that I ...uhhh...ever used pool
grease...uh...before for this application.

"Craven Morehead" wrote in message
. ..
This silicone grease is usually available from swimming pool stores. It's
used quite extensively on pool valves.

Bill writes:

You can rebuild your Moen (and other manufacturer's) faucet valves by
cleaning the existing parts well and then reapplying the RIGHT KIND of
o-ring grease. Unfortunately, places like Home Depot will mindlessly
sell you "plumber's grease" in little white tubs from companies like
Rec-O-Seal which are NOT for use on rubber, but don't say that
anywhere on the container. These petroleum-based greases will cause
the valve to stick if not used for a couple minutes, although if you
work the stem it will temporarily appear to be well-lubricated.

This is a myth.

Petrolatum (aka petroleum grease or petroleum jelly or Vaseline) attacks
natural rubber, but O-rings are not typically made from that. It does not
affect Buna-N (nitrile) rubber, which is what plumbing O-rings are
typically made from.

Good info Bill. Thanks for sharing it.
Des

"Bill" wrote in message
m...
The problem with these groups is that there are many questions and
very few answers. To clear my conscience from a previous posted
question, here's an unsolicited answer that might be useful to someone
down the line:

You can rebuild your Moen (and other manufacturer's) faucet valves by
cleaning the existing parts well and then reapplying the RIGHT KIND of
o-ring grease. Unfortunately, places like Home Depot will mindlessly
sell you "plumber's grease" in little white tubs from companies like
Rec-O-Seal which are NOT for use on rubber, but don't say that
anywhere on the container. These petroleum-based greases will cause
the valve to stick if not used for a couple minutes, although if you
work the stem it will temporarily appear to be well-lubricated.

If you buy grease that specifically states "silicone grease" or "for
use on rubber o-rings", it'll work like new and you'll extend the life
of your value indefinitely. My valves are 20 years old and work as
well as a new valve insert, and the o-rings are still like new.

That being said, if you are a contractor and can pass off the cost to
the homeowner, the $13 inserts are the way to go. But as a homeowner,
I saved about $150 in parts alone by redoing the valves myself.