How To Fix A Cracked Toilet Tank Or Bowl (2024 Guide)

A crack in your toilet tank might not seem like a big deal, but it quickly turns into a big one if left unchecked.

Cracked toilet tanks can leak, which can lead to significant water damage over time if not repaired. So read on if you need to figure out how to fix a cracked toilet tank or bowl.

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How to Fix Cracked Toilets

Required Supplies

Plumbing Epoxy
Caulking Gun
Putty Knife
Towels, Sponges
Hairdryer

1
The very first thing you should do is turn off the water supply to the toilet. Even if there is no actual water leaking, it is still a good idea to turn the water off in case something goes wrong.
2
Next, flush the tank to remove any excess water and mop up any remaining water in the bowl and tank with some towels or sponges. You do not have to remove absolutely all water; you just don't want any large standing quantities of it.
3
Next, identify the cracks in the tank or bowl. Apply the epoxy putty to the area according to the instructions. Proper caulking technique involves filling an inch above the crack and working your way down.
4
Afterward, use the putty knife to smooth the sealant out. Spread it so it’s even and there are not any large lumps.
5
Next, you need to let the epoxy dry. Most of the time, epoxy will dry in about 24 hours or so. Once you wait 24 hours and do not find any other cracks, you can refill the tank with water.
6
Once the tank is filled with water, test out the flush to see if the leaks are fully plugged. You may also want to step away for a few hours to see if there is any water leaking out onto the floor.

What Causes a Toilet to Crack?

Toilet cracks can be caused by many things, but most commonly are a result of:

1
Extreme Temperature
2
Aging
3
Impacts Or Accidents

The most common reason a toilet tank cracks is due to wear and tear from ageing. A modern toilet can last up to 50 years if maintained properly, but it will stick chip and crack from age over time. Impacts with other hard objects like cabinets can also cause cracks in the toilet tank material.

How to Find Cracks in Toilet Bowls

The easiest way to identify whether your toilet has a crack in it is the presence of pools of water on the floor near the toilet.

Below Water Level Cracks
If a crack is below the water level, it will be fairly noticeable as you should be able to see the leak. You can also usually feel cracks in the tank if you run your fingers over the affected area.
Above Water Level Cracks
Above water level cracks can be hard to spot because they might not leak. If they are in a spot that is far enough away from water, you might be able to leave them alone for now, but keep an eye on them.

Another symptom of a crack in the toilet bowl could be missing water from the tank or bowl. If you notice that water seems to disappear, then there might be a crack in the bowl.

How to Find Cracks in Toilet Tanks

Below Water Level Cracks
Cracks that are below the water level in the tank will be very easy to spot because they will leak water onto the floors. These cracks are very serious and need to be taken care of immediately as they can leak dirty water on your floor.
Above Water Level Cracks
Above water level cracks in the bowl are more or less the same as in the tank. They can be benign if out of the way of water but are more likely to develop into a serious problem if left unchecked. You can find these cracks by running your fingers along the exterior of the bowl.
Invisible Cracks
These “ghost” cracks can be hard to find because you cannot see them very well. Invisible cracks can cause water in the bowl to seemingly disappear by settling on the floor or leaking into the drain pipe.

How to Tell if Your Toilet Bowl is Beyond Fixing?

If cracks are small enough, then they should not be too difficult to fix, and they should not greatly affect toilet performance. The larger a crack is, the harder it will be to repair and seal with epoxy.

Basically, if the crack is more than a hairline crack and you can see into the layers of the material, then the tank is probably too far gone to repair. A good rule of thumb is that cracks wider than 1/16” probably cannot be fixed.

FAQs

Can you fix porcelain toilets?

You can seal hairline cracks in a porcelain toilet with epoxy putty or some other kind of sealant.

How many years should a toilet last?

A good-quality toilet can last up to 50 years if taken care of properly, but realistically, a toilet will last around 10-15 years.

Can you replace just the tank of a toilet?

It depends on the kind of toilet. Some let you disconnect the tank from the bowl, and others do not. If you can disconnect the tank, then you can often replace just that part.

How much should it cost to replace a toilet?

It depends on the severity of the damage, but it can cost anywhere between $50-$300 to fix a toilet.

Can Flex Seal fix a cracked toilet tank?

Yes, Flex Seal can be used to fix cracks around a toilet tank and bowl if they are just small hairline fractures. It will not be able to fix larger cracks.

What do you do with old toilets?

You can throw it away in the dumpster, or you can donate it to a charity organization so they can restore and reuse it.

Conclusion

Toilet tanks and bowls are extremely important, so you need to take care of cracks before they develop into a larger problem.

Thankfully, small cracks on all kinds of toilets are easy to fix yourself. Larger cracks might require the help of a professional.

Ian Haynes

Ian Haynes is an expert writer who has successfully deployed over 500 plumbing pages and other related content. He has an excellent understanding of home plumbing issues and translates his experiences via Plumbing Lab so readers can have a better understanding of common household problems. Outside of his work, Ian likes exploring Brooklyn with his Labrador.