How to Repair a Porcelain Lavatory

A porcelain lavatory or toilet can become chipped or cracked over the course of time. When a chip or crack forms in a porcelain lavatory, water can leak from the tank or the bowl. In some instances a crack can spread and the porcelain toilet can fall apart, flooding the bathroom. Instead of replacing the entire fixture, repair the chip or crack yourself using just a few materials.

Things You'll Need

• Towels
• Rubber gloves
• Acetone
• Rag
• Porcelain enamel
• Applicator or paintbrush
• 220-grit sandpaper

Send to Phone

Brought to you by

Send to Phone

Please enter your 10 digit phone number only.

Send

A link to this article has been sent to the phone number provided.

Close

Reply HELP for help, STOP to end. Message and data rates may apply.

Instructions

1. Turn off the water supply to the toilet and flush the toilet to empty the tank and bowl of water.

2. Place towels around the base of the toilet to catch any residual dripping water and to protect the flooring.

3. Put on rubber gloves and rub acetone over the chip or crack in the porcelain with a rag to clean the surface. Let the acetone evaporate.

4. Spread porcelain enamel over the damaged spot using the applicator that came with the enamel or a small paintbrush. Allow the porcelain enamel to dry according to the manufacturer's instructed drying time.

5. Gently sand the patch with 220-grit sandpaper to smooth it with the surface and make it blend.

6. Remove the towels and turn on the water supply again to finish.

References

• "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Simple Home Repair"; Judy Ostrow; 2007
• "Dare to Repair, Replace & Renovate: Do-It-Herself Projects to Make Your Home More Comfortable, More Beautiful & More Valuable"; Julie Sussman, et al.; 2009