I have been dealing with these things for over 25 years in both bathrooms in the last 2 homes I've owned. The biggest problem is the rubber O-Rings and seals inside dry out and get stiff and hard over time. The faucet then slowly becomes more difficult to operate.
If you keep fighting it, the rubber will start to crack or tear, and the faucet will start to leak. This is especially true with the most common model, the Moen 1225. Over the years I have tried most every type of grease and lube on these faucet cartridges, and I finally found one that really works.... And above all, lasts.
I don't know why, but this Danco Waterproof Silicone Grease does. Far better than any other I tried. Stay away from some of these so called, "plumbers greases". Many are very thick and stiff like wheel bearing grease, and are much too thick. They also seem to cause the rubber to swell, which only exacerbates the problem.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000DZFUPC/ref=pe_386300_440135490_TE_simp_item_image
When I replace a cartridge I get a bottle brush that fits the hole for the cartridge nice and tight, and brush it out as good as I can. I generally spray WD-40, or some kind of solvent inside while I'm brushing.
I then use a wooden dowel with a rag on the end to clean it out as good as I can. Then I liberally coat the inside with the Silicone grease, and the entire outside of the cartridge itself. You can't possibly overdo this.
I then install the cartridge. Using this process I've found the faucet will not tighten up over time. At least nowhere near as fast as before with other types of lube. And don't overpay for the cartridges.
I bought this 4 pack from Amazon for just $30.00. They work and last just as long as the Moen models do at 1/4th the price. And they come with 2 types of retainer clips each. I always keep several in stock. I've gotten to the point now when they start getting tight, I'll just swap them out.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BXXJCS6X/ref=pe_386300_440135490_TE_simp_item_image
If you keep fighting it, the rubber will start to crack or tear, and the faucet will start to leak. This is especially true with the most common model, the Moen 1225. Over the years I have tried most every type of grease and lube on these faucet cartridges, and I finally found one that really works.... And above all, lasts.
I don't know why, but this Danco Waterproof Silicone Grease does. Far better than any other I tried. Stay away from some of these so called, "plumbers greases". Many are very thick and stiff like wheel bearing grease, and are much too thick. They also seem to cause the rubber to swell, which only exacerbates the problem.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000DZFUPC/ref=pe_386300_440135490_TE_simp_item_image
When I replace a cartridge I get a bottle brush that fits the hole for the cartridge nice and tight, and brush it out as good as I can. I generally spray WD-40, or some kind of solvent inside while I'm brushing.
I then use a wooden dowel with a rag on the end to clean it out as good as I can. Then I liberally coat the inside with the Silicone grease, and the entire outside of the cartridge itself. You can't possibly overdo this.
I then install the cartridge. Using this process I've found the faucet will not tighten up over time. At least nowhere near as fast as before with other types of lube. And don't overpay for the cartridges.
I bought this 4 pack from Amazon for just $30.00. They work and last just as long as the Moen models do at 1/4th the price. And they come with 2 types of retainer clips each. I always keep several in stock. I've gotten to the point now when they start getting tight, I'll just swap them out.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BXXJCS6X/ref=pe_386300_440135490_TE_simp_item_image
