How to Repair a Cracked Toilet

Newly installed toilet.

Cracked toilets cannot be fixed, unfortunately. Reason being, toilets are made of china or clay. There is no known adhesive that will hold the material together without leaks; more important, the inevitable break will only create larger problems later. The only way to really fix a cracked toilet, whether it's the base or tank, is to replace it.

Things You'll Need

• New Toilet Adjustable wrench Ratchet or basin wrench Screwdriver Wax ring and sleeve Plumbers putty Floor bolts Tank bolts with rubber washers Seat bolts and mounting nuts Hacksaw Caulk

Instructions

Replacing a Cracked Toilet

1. Turn off the water supply to the broken toilet. After removing it, thoroughly clean the area. To prevent hardware from falling in and block sewer gas, stuff a rag in the soil pipe. Scrape up the old wax gasket and remove the old bolts from the floor flange. Scrape the floor flange clean or replace it if cracked or broken.

2. Insert the bolts into the flange collar slots and add brash washers on each bolt, with the threaded end up. Press the wax ring gently over the flange, with the flat side down. Align the bolts with the holes in the toilet bowl and cautiously lower the bowl onto the wax ring. Gently press the bowl down into the wax until the bowl rests on the floor. Be sure not to twist or rock, just press straight down. Check to be sure it's level. If not use washers or pennies to shim the lower side. Once the bowl is level, use your wrench to tighten the bolts. Do not over-tighten as it will likely cause the toilet to crack and you'll have to start all over.

3. Use your hacksaw to cut the bolts off above the nuts. Seal the toilet with caulk.

4. Install the tank over the bowl and tighten the nuts and washers on the mounting bolts. Tighten all of the bolts and make sure your toilet is still level.

5. Seal the base of the toilet and the decorative caps over the bolt ends with plumbers putty.

6. Connect the flexible tubing to the shut off valve and to the supply stub at the bottom of the tank. Once all of the putty dries you can turn the water back on and test out your handy work.

Tips & Warnings

• Take care to avoid cracking or breaking the porcelain as even a hairline or stress crack will lead to a break at some point. Check with local officials to see if any permits are required. In some areas, it is illegal to even remove a broken toilet without a permit.

• If you are unfamiliar with plumbing or cannot sit on your knees, bend and carry heavy objects, you should hire a professional. At the very least, get a couple of estimates from licensed plumbers in your area.

References

• Black & Decker The Complete Photo Guide to Home Repair; Editors of CPi, or Creative Publishing; 2008
• Natural Handyman