The Spruce / Kevin Norris
A cracked toilet tank or bowl can mysteriously develop anytime and start leaking.
Hairline cracks often can be patched with porcelain epoxy.
Larger cracks or cracks that penetrate a tank or bowl usually cannot be repaired, requiring toilet replacement.
The Spruce / Kevin Norris
You’ll often see water drops on the porcelain or pooled water on the floor.
In that case,toilet replacementis the only option.
Waterproof epoxy comes in two parts that you mix immediately before applying.
The Spruce / Kevin Norris
Most epoxies have only 15 to 30 minutes of working time before the material hardens.
Choose an epoxy rated for use on porcelain tubs and sinks.
Tip
Do not use plumber’s putty to fix cracks in toilets.
The Spruce / Kevin Norris
Turn the valve clockwise until it stops.
Flush the toilet to drain water from the tank and bowl.
Wipe the porcelain dry.
The Spruce / Kevin Norris
Sand the area withsandpaperto roughen the surface; sand only where you will apply epoxy.
Rinse the area well and let it dry.
Immediately apply the mixed epoxy to the crack with a putty knife or spreader.
The Spruce / Kevin Norris
Smooth and flatten the epoxy as much as possible for the best appearance.
You must apply the epoxy within the material’s working time, usually no more than 30 minutes.
Let the epoxy cure overnight, or as recommended by the manufacturer.
The Spruce / Kevin Norris
Let the toilet tank refill, then flush the toilet and check for leaks.
Sometimes, homeowners can use a cracked toilet for years before more serious problems develop.
A cracked toilet tank can be more of a problem, though.
This may damage the bathroom flooring and other parts of the house.
It costs from $10 to $20 to fix a cracked toilet tank with epoxy.
Another option is to purchase a new toilet tank.
Check with the manufacturer, as you’ll need to find an exact replacement for your model.
Do not use Flex Seal to fix apressure-assisted toilet.
