Bathrooms are arguably an essential part of a house. Any damage or complication at that end can complicate your life. In bathrooms, your toilet is made up of two parts the tank and the bowl.
Over time, cracks can materialize in the toilet tank, but the good news is that you can easily repair a cracked toilet tank.
However, you can only repair it if the crack is not too significant; otherwise, you will have to consult a professional and repair the tank altogether.
There are several ways you can repair cracked toilet tank. All you need is a few materials and a few techniques. Read further if you want to know more!
What to Do When Your Toilet Tank Cracks?
Your toilet consists of two parts which are the tank and the bowl. Old age, sudden change in temperature, or strong impacts on the toilet tank can cause it to crack.
If it is more than a hairline crack, you’ll find a pool of mysterious water flooding your toilet floor.
Can a cracked toilet tank be repaired? Yes, to an extent, you can fix a cracked toilet tank; however, there is a chance that the tank might be badly damaged and need to be replaced altogether.
Firstly, to repair a cracked toilet tank, you must investigate the outside of a tank. If you see a hairline crack, you do not have to worry much. However, if the hairline crack is not attended to, it might become more prominent and cause future problems.
If you cannot locate a crack on the outside of the tank, look inside. To have a look inside, you have to empty the tank first. You can do it by closing the toilet tap and flushing until all the water is gone from the tank.
After that, you can spot the crack, and if the gap lies below the waterline, it can be fixed with epoxy or other porcelain sealants.
A minor or a major impact on your tank can cause it to leak. Whichever the cause, you should not delay repairing the cracked toilet tank, especially when it is leaking, avoiding any future hassle.
Materials Needed to Fix the Toilet Tank
To fix the toilet tank, you will have to channel your inner plumber and let it take center stage to do its magic. A plumber, like most people, always comes prepared.
So, to ensure that you do not face any difficulties, gather the materials needed to fix the tank beforehand.
The materials you will need are a plumber’s putty or silicone epoxy sealant, a knife, a caulking gun, and rags or sponge.
How to Fix a Cracked Toilet Tank
When you have assembled the needful, you are ready to repair the cracked toilet. Follow the steps below!
Step 1: Cut off the Water Supply
You should always turn off the water supply after you have spotted a crack, regardless of whether it is leaking or not.
The water supply can be turned off by turning off the toilet valve located below the toilet bowl. Turning it clockwise or anticlockwise can help you cut off the water supply.
After that, you will have to flush the tank to get rid of the water in the tank. Keep doing it until all the water in the tank is gone. While doing that, you can also spot where the crack lies.
Itis necessary if you have a leakage and want to control the mess created by the water pooling on your toilet floor.
Step 2: Wipe the Tank
After draining water from the tank, you must wipe the inside and the outside of the tank. You can wipe it with a rag or sponge to absorb any residual water.
In doing so,you ensure a successful sealant application; otherwise, the sealant may not stick, and all your hard work will go to waste. Make sure that the inside, as well as the outside of the tank, is dry.
Step 3: Cover the Crack
After wiping inside and outside the tank, apply a porcelain sealant over the crack to repair the cracked toilet tank. A silicone epoxy sealant works best. You can easily find it in nearby mechanic shops.
While shopping for the sealant, look for a caulking gun too. Although not a necessity, a caulking gun is a precision tool that can be filled with a sealant, and using it reduces waste and gives a precise application.
Step 4: Smooth It out
Once you have applied the sealant, smooth it down with a putty knife or a knife you no longer use. Spreading the sealant over the surface will eliminate the chalky look, and covering more areas around the crack will ensure the damage is efficiently covered.
Step 5: Let It Dry
After you have applied the sealant, let it dry for 24 hours. Meanwhile, use another toilet because using it before the adhesivedries will hamper the integrity of your work.
As a result, you might have to revisit and apply the sealant again or, worst-case scenario, replace the tank if the crack deepens. So, be patient and let the adhesive dry.
Step 6: Let the Tank Refill
Once the sealant is dry, you can turn on the toilet’s valve and let the water fill your tank. If the leak persists, you have to drain the water again and see if you have missed a crack. If there is no leak, you are good to use the toilet again.
Final Words
By reading this guide on how to fix a cracked toilet tank, you should have learned why your seemingly healthy toilet tank suddenly developed a crack and how to repair cracked toilet tank.
It is simple to repair the damage in the toilet tank. All you need is a sponge to dry the tank, a sealant to cover the cracks, and a knife to smooth out any bumps, giving the tank a clean look. Make sure to allow the glueto dry. Tada! Your damage to the toilet tank is repaired.
However, if the problem persists, consult with a plumber, and see if you have to replace the tank. Leave the replacing to the professionals!
