The handle on my shower valve is stiff or hard to turn — what should I do?

If the handle is difficult to turn, mineral deposits or dried seals may be restricting the cartridge movement. If your handle is difficult to move, clicking or grinding when turning or you are experiencing an uneven water flow, the following steps will help to resolve the issue:

1. Remove the shower control and inspect for scale.
2. Clean and lubricate the spindle using silicone grease (not petroleum jelly).
3. If stiffness persists, remove the handles, trim plate and extract the thermostatic and/or flow cartridge. Instructions for your product can be found by selecting the relevant product on our website and navigating to the 'Downloads' tab on the product page.
4. Reassemble and test movement.
5. If this does not resolve the issue, you may need to replace the thermostatic and/or flow/diverter cartridge(s).

Tip: Operate your valve regularly and avoid over-tightening handles when turning off the shower.

If you need to replace the cartridge, use only genuine Crosswater parts as others may not align correctly and can invalidate your warranty. Spare cartridges can be found on our official spares website. Ensure compatibility by matching the product image or part code.