If you notice your toilet is starting to show cracks, pay close attention to its nature and location. Some may be easy fixes, while others require that you buy a new toilet.
If you’re a handyman, follow the instructions below for fixable cracks. If you aren’t, give us a call and we’ll gladly get your toilet back to its pristine shape.
What causes hairline cracks in toilets?
You might wonder how the hairline cracks appear in toilet bowls. There are few things that can cause these small cracks in your porcelain throne, including these common culprits:
Impact: Did something hit your toilet? A hairdryer? Or a heavy tissue box holder? Did someone fall, and then go to the bathroom? Hairline cracks can result from any impact on your toilet.
Age: As toilets age, they become more vulnerable to cracks. While your toilet should last for at least 50-years, we recommend that you inspect your toilets regularly for cracking.
DIY Projects: Sometimes DIY projects don’t go as planned. Something as simple as tightening toilet bolts a little too tight can lead to small hairline cracks in your toilet bowl.
How to Fix a Cracked Toilet Tank
First things first. Before you think that you can fix it, measure the crack. If we’re talking about a hairline crack, get ready to be your family’s hero. But if your toilet tank has a significant crack, you’ll have to replace it.
Materials
- Towels or washcloths
- Plumber’s putty or silicone sealant
Directions
If the cracks are small or hairline cracks, do the following:
Step 1. Turn off the water supply to the toilet.
Step 2. Step 2. Drain the tank.
Step 3. Dry the tank until it’s bone dry (both on the inside and outside).
Step 4. Apply plumber’s putty or silicone sealant on the cracks.
Step 5. Wait the time recommended on the sealant manufacturer’s instructions.
Step 6. Turn on the water supply to the toilet.
Step 7. Step 7.
Once you’ve followed all those steps, flush the toilet. You are now done! You’ve just fixed your toilet.
How to Fix a Cracked Toilet Bowl or Base
If you walk into your bathroom and notice standing water on the floor, you may have a cracked toilet bowl or base. Make sure to monitor your family’s use of the shower, though. There is no need to stress about the toilet when there are other issues.
If it turns out that the issue is a crack in the toilet bowl or base, you’ll have to buy a new toilet. If doing so is not an option due to finances and if it’s a hairline crack and your toilet isn’t leaking, you can apply plumber’s putty or silicone sealant. Follow the steps in the section “How to Fix a Cracked Toilet Tank” to learn how to fix a hairline crack. However, this will only buy you a little bit of time, since the constant contact with water would eventually weaken the silicone sealant.
If the crack is significant and/or your toilet is leaking from the base, you’ll have to replace the toilet. To do this:
Materials
- New toilet
- New tank bolts (if the old ones are rusted)
- Caulk
- Wrench
- Pliers (optional to help remove the tank bolts and/or water supply line)
Directions
Step 1. Turn off the water supply to the toilet.
Step 2. Step 2.
Step 3. Step 3.
Step 4. Step 4. Unscrew the water supply line that runs underneath the tank.
Step 5. Step 5.
Step 6. Unscrew the base from the floor (you’ll need a wrench for this).
Step 7. Step 7.
Step 8. Step 8.
Step 9. Step 9.
Step 10. Tighten the bolts with a wrench (use new bolts if the old ones are rusted).
Step 11. Step 11.
Step 12. Step 12.
Step 13. Step 13.
Step 14. Follow the instructions for your new toilet to install the parts inside the tank.
Step 15. Step 15. Connect the water supply line.
Don’t overdo it when tightening the bolts. Too much force to keep it tight may end up cracking your new toilet and you’ll be back to square one.
