Shattered ceramic discs on taps, what causes them?

[Readingplumber]

Evening all,


Shattered ceramic discs on taps, what causes them?

My apprentice had this in his tech cert exam, Im guessing excessive water pressure?

Does anyone know?

Many thanks!

 

[Barry98]

wear and tear if there rubbing against each other. most are two discs each with a hole in, when they align water passes as they get old they can crack/splinter etc. ive never seen any shattered ones though could be a form off over tightening maybe

 

[Best]

Sounds like a really stupid exam question! Where do they get these pointless questions?
I also assume over tightening - but haven't seen this. Also grit jamming in ceramic works may do it. Can't see high pressure doing it, but I could be wrong.

 

[Plumbstar Tom]

Cheap stuff from china would be my answer. But for the exam I would put excessive pressure

 

[jtsplumbing]

I`ve had this problem, caused by hot water being to hot!!

 

[Barry98]

I`ve had this problem, caused by hot water being to hot!!

how hot was it to shatter the discs ?

 

[Billy Bob Bob]

a big hammer

 

[jtsplumbing]

Sorry can-not remember temp it was on a mixer, told if useing mixer with discs run cold first as sudden change in temp will crack disc !