How to Fix a Hairline Crack in a Toilet Bowl or Tank

A cracked toilet can be a perplexing plumbing problem because the cracks are not always easy to spot. In some cases, the crack may have occurred when the toilet was first manufactured but does not surface for many years. Other times, a toilet can mysteriously develop a crack at any time and start leaking. More obvious cracking can occur due to an extreme temperature change that causes a crack that goes all the way through the porcelain.

Whatever the cause of the crack, the first step toward a repair is locating it and assessing whether or not it can be fixed (or at least attempted). Hairline cracks often can be patched with a porcelain epoxy. Larger cracks or cracks that penetrate fully through a bowl usually cannot be repaired, requiring that the toilet be replaced.

Finding Cracks in a Toilet Tank

A toilet tank can have cracks above or below the water level and on the inside or outside. Where the crack is located will determine what action is needed.

• A crack above the water level is usually not a problem unless the crack grows slowly. If you spot a toilet crack in the tank, keep an eye on it to make sure it doesn't get any worse. It can be useful to take a picture of the crack for later comparison.
• A crack that is below the water level will have to be fixed. Unfortunately, a toilet tank crack can be hard to spot. If you suspect a leak from the toilet tank, start by checking the seals between the tank and the bowl. Next, check the tank carefully for a crack in the porcelain. You may have to look both on the outside and the inside of the tank to see it.

Finding Cracks in a Toilet Bowl

If you find water on the floor near the toilet, a leak in the bowl is a possibility. Keep in mind that water may leak only when you flush the toilet, so flush while you check around the bowl for the crack that is causing the leak. Cracks in a toilet bowl can be difficult to identify, so it is a good idea to check for cracks on a regular basis.

• A toilet bowl crack above the water level will need to be monitored. If you find a crack in the bowl that does not leak at all because it's near an area that does not have water going through it, you might be able to leave it alone. Mark both sides of the crack to make sure it's not growing. A photo can also be very useful for future reference.
• A crack in the toilet bowl below the water level is much more complicated. The source may be almost impossible to track down because of the shape of the toilet bowl. When the toilet crack is visible in the part of the bowl that retains water, you'll probably need to replace the toilet.
• An invisible crack is also a possibility, and it can be indicated by two different symptoms: standing water on the floor outside of the toilet, or missing water. A small invisible leak can cause water to settle on the floor at the base of the toilet. In a less common scenario, the water from the toilet bowl will slowly leak out into the drain instead of onto the floor. If the toilet bowl seems to mysteriously lose its water, you could have a cracked toilet that leaks into the drain.

Repair Options

If you have a hairline crack in the tank or the bowl, you may be able to stop the leak by sealing the crack with waterproof epoxy. Epoxy can also be effective for cracks at the base of the toilet, such as cracks or breakage around the bolts that secure the toilet to the floor.

You can try repairing cracks under the water line with epoxy, but remember that it often doesn't work. In that case, replacement is the only option.

Waterproof epoxy comes in two parts that you mix together immediately before applying. Most epoxies have only 15 to 30 minutes of working time before the material begins to harden. Choose an epoxy rated for use on porcelain tubs and sinks.

Before You Begin

Turn off the water supply to the toilet at the shutoff valve below the toilet tank. Turn the valve clockwise until it stops. Flush the toilet to drain water from the tank and bowl. Remove standing water in the tank or bowl, if necessary, by soaking it up with a sponge and wringing it out into a bucket. Wipe the porcelain dry.