Had the same issue with silicone grease before—thought I was being smart by using it on a stubborn faucet cartridge. Ended up with leaks again after just a few weeks. From what I've seen, silicone grease doesn't really break down, but it tends to wash away or thin out over time, especially with constant water flow and pressure changes. Faucets deal with a lot of friction and movement too, and silicone grease just doesn't seem to hold up under those conditions.
Honestly, I've had better luck sticking with plumber's grease (the thicker stuff specifically made for faucets). It's messier and not as fancy-sounding, but at least I don't have to redo the job every month... Learned that one the hard way.
"Honestly, I've had better luck sticking with plumber's grease (the thicker stuff specifically made for faucets). It's messier and not as fancy-sounding, but at least I don't have to redo the job every month..."
Interesting point, but I've actually found silicone grease pretty reliable—IF it's the right kind. Some cheaper silicone greases thin out quickly, sure, but the higher-quality plumbing-specific silicone grease usually holds up fine. Maybe it's more about the brand or quality rather than silicone vs plumber's grease? Just a thought...
Good points all around. I've used both plumber's grease and silicone grease on various faucet repairs, and honestly, I've seen decent results with either—as long as it's a quality product. I do agree with the original poster though; plumber's grease tends to be thicker and stays put longer, especially in older faucets or ones that see heavy daily use.
One thing I've noticed is that silicone grease can sometimes be a bit finicky depending on the faucet type. For cartridge-style faucets, good-quality silicone grease usually works great because it doesn't degrade rubber seals or O-rings. But for older compression-style faucets with metal-on-metal parts, plumber's grease often seems to hold up better over time. Maybe it's just me, but silicone grease sometimes feels like it thins out quicker under constant friction or heat.
I remember one job where I tried using a cheaper silicone grease (big mistake...) and ended up having to redo the whole thing within a couple of weeks because it practically disappeared. Switched back to plumber's grease after that fiasco and haven't had an issue since. Lesson learned: don't skimp on quality when it comes to plumbing lubricants.
But yeah, I think you're onto something about brand quality mattering more than just silicone vs plumber's grease alone. I've definitely seen some higher-end silicone greases hold up surprisingly well—especially those specifically labeled for plumbing applications rather than general-purpose stuff from hardware stores.
Either way, it's always satisfying when you find something reliable that saves you from having to redo the same job every month or two...
"silicone grease sometimes feels like it thins out quicker under constant friction or heat."
Yeah, totally experienced this myself. Last summer, our kitchen faucet kept getting stiff and squeaky. Tried silicone grease (decent brand, too), but after a month, same issue returned. Switched to plumber's grease—problem solved and hasn't acted up since. Learned my lesson about matching lubricants to faucet types... and always double-checking product quality before starting repairs.
Interesting, I've had mixed results with silicone grease myself. It usually works fine for basic O-rings or seals, but when there's constant friction or heat involved—like in a faucet handle—it just doesn't hold up as well. Plumber's grease seems thicker and more durable under those conditions. Also, learned the hard way that cheaper silicone greases can be hit-or-miss... paying a bit extra for quality definitely makes a difference in longevity.
