Crack In Your Toilet? Here’s What to Do!

A crack in your toilet can cause multiple problems with your plumbing. Usually these cracks indicate that your toilet needs to be replaced, but there are many factors to consider first.

Cracks in your toilet can lead to low water levels in your toilet bowl, leaks leaving puddles of water around your toilet, or making your toilet completely unflushable.

Types of Cracks

There are a couple different types of cracks that you should be aware of. Hairline cracks, small and thin cracks, and larger cracks are both a possibility. They will usually occur from smaller impacts or wear and tear overtime. Larger cracks are more likely to happen when bigger impacts occur. Usually hairline cracks can be repaired, but larger cracks mean the toilet needs to be replaced entirely. 

What Causes Cracks?

There are a few things that can cause a toilet to crack. Like all other appliances, cracks can result from normal wear and tear. The older a toilet is, the more likely it will obtain damage. Other than age and normal wear and tear, cracks can occur from heavy impacts. Toilets are made to be sturdy, but cracks can still occur. 

Does It Need Repaired Or Replaced?

The type of crack isn’t the only thing that determines if you can repair it or not. Even if the crack is a hairline, it can still be too big to repair. Typically, if the crack is wider than a sixteenth of an inch, it can not be repaired. This means the toilet will need to be replaced to fix the problem. You can replace it either way, but if the crack is smaller it is possible to repair it.

How to Repair a Hairline Crack

If you have determined that the crack can be repaired, then here are the steps to follow!

1. Before you do anything else, drain the toilet tank. The easiest way to do this is to turn off the water supply to the toilet and flush it until there is no water left in the tank. 
2. After all of the water is drained from the toilet tank, dry it out with a rag or towel. 
3. Fill in the crack in your toilet with epoxy or plumbers putty. Use your putty knife to smooth the surface of the bowl or tank. 
4. If you use epoxy, let it dry for 24 hours. If you used plumbers putty, it will dry in less than 24 hours. For the exact drying time frame, read the instructions on the package of the putty.
5. Once everything is dry, check to make sure there are no cracks left in the tank or bowl. Also be cautious of any cracks that may have appeared in the epoxy. If you notice any cracks, complete the sealing and drying process again.
6. Finally, turn the water supply back on and fill up the tank. Flush your toilet to see if there are any leaks remaining. Be sure that the surface surrounding your toilet was completely dry before testing. This will ensure that any water you may find is the result of an actual leak.

Final Thoughts

If you have a crack in your toilet, it needs to be fixed before it gets worse or becomes a problem. If it is bad enough that it can not be fixed, you may need to replace your toilet. Luckily, toilet cracks are not common and do not happen easily.

Call 1-Tom-Plumber

Don’t hesitate to contact us here or call us at 1-Tom-Plumber (1-866-758-6237) if you need any plumbing, drain cleaning, or excavation service. 1-Tom-Plumber’s certified team of plumbers and drain technicians respond immediately to any emergency plumbing, drain cleaning, or water damage problem. 
We also handle the excavation of underground water lines and sewer main lines. Our immediate-response team is available every day and night of the year, even on holidays.