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If your toilet is cracked, it can be repaired by a plumber or you. The process of fixing a cracked toilet base depends on the severity of the crack. A minor crack that only goes part way across the bottom of the bowl is an easy repair.
The same is true for a major crack that goes across and may extend from one side of the bowl to another.
If your toilet is cracked, it’s probably because someone dropped something heavy on it or it was dropped off a truck during delivery. It’s also possible that the base has been damaged by repeated use over time.
There are two kinds of cracks: long ones and short ones. Long ones usually mean you must replace the entire bowl; short ones are just cosmetic and must be repaired after a period of time.
Can You Repair A Broken Toilet Base?
Yes. You can repair a cracked toilet base using materials from your local home improvement store or online supplier. You must attempt this on your own with proper knowledge and equipment. The most common way to repair a broken toilet base is by using epoxy resin glues or adhesives to bond the pieces back together. Still, another option is to use fibreglass resin mixed with hardener. In either case, the repair will not be perfect, but it should last long enough for you to get through the next few years before replacing the toilet.
- Use the right tools and materials.
- Disassemble the Toilet Base
- Replace the Broken Part
- Put Everything Back Together
Fixing The Cracked Toilet Base
A cracked toilet base is not only unsightly, but it can also be a safety hazard. If you want to repair a broken toilet base, you will need to purchase some materials and tools.
Remove the Toilet Bowl
You must remove the toilet bowl from the base to repair your broken toilet base. You can do this with pliers or by turning off the water supply and flushing out any remaining water from the tank. The next step is removing the bolts holding the bowl in place. Use a wrench for this step as well.
Repairing With Cement
Once you have removed the bowl from your broken toilet base, you will need to clean it thoroughly with soap and water before applying cement. You should also wear gloves during this process to avoid accidentally getting cement on your hands or other body parts, such as your eyes or mouth. Mix equal parts of Portland cement and sand before adding enough water until it resembles peanut butter in consistency (about one inch deep). Now spread this mixture over all surfaces of your broken toilet base using a trowel or spatula until completely covered with cement paste (this will be thick enough for repairs).
How To Fix Loose Toilet Base?
To fix a loose toilet base, you should first determine the reason for the problem. In most cases, it’s due to an improperly installed wax ring. The wax ring should be flat and level with the floor to prevent water from seeping under the toilet base.
If your toilet has been installed correctly and still sits unevenly, you may have a cracked base or floor. If this is the case, you can fix it by filling the cracks with concrete mortar and then levelling the surface with a bull float.
Symptoms Of A Loose Toilet Base
A loose toilet base can cause problems such as:
- Leaking around the base of the bowl
- Water damage around flooring or subflooring
- Cracked or broken ceramic tiles or grout
What Causes A Toilet Base To Crack?
There are several reasons why a toilet base might crack. These include:
- Age – Toilets are expected to last many years but eventually wear out. If you have used an old toilet for over 20 years, the unit may have developed cracks in the base area due to age-related wear and tear.
- Water Leakage: If there is a leak in your home plumbing system, then this can cause damage to your toilet as well as other fixtures in your home, such as sinks and bathtubs. Water leakage can also cause damage by allowing moisture into your home, accelerating any existing cracks in your bathroom flooring or walls towards becoming more severe over time.
- Clean Properly – Another common cause of a cracked toilet base is when someone needs to clean it properly before using it again after cleaning on top of it (e.g., mopping). This can cause mould growth inside the walls, which eventually causes them to break down over time.
- Dropped During Installation: Another reason your toilet base may be cracked is that it was dropped during installation. If this happens, there are often cracks around the edge of the bowl where it was dropped on its side. This causes several problems: firstly, it means that water can get under the toilet and start leaking on your floor; secondly, it makes it difficult to clean properly because dirt gets trapped in these cracks; thirdly, some people say that dropping a toilet could cause damage inside your pipes if they hit against them hard enough when falling!
Should A Cracked Toilet Be Replaced?
Yes, a cracked toilet should be replaced. Even if the crack is small, it can spread and worsen over time, leading to leaks or complete breakage of the toilet bowl.
A cracked toilet bowl can also allow water to leak out, damaging the floor or subflooring beneath it and leading to more expensive repairs. Additionally, a cracked toilet can create unsanitary conditions as it can be difficult to properly clean and disinfect the crack, leading to potential bacteria growth.
Replacing a cracked toilet may seem daunting, but it is necessary for the safety and sanitation of your home. A professional plumber can help you choose a new toilet that fits your needs and budget and can install it safely and correctly.
💡You can only replace or fix your toilet seat when you fully prepare how to replace the toilet wax ring, flange, and fill valve. |
How Do You Fix A Toilet Base To The Floor?
If you want to keep as much water inside your toilet as possible while working on it, wrap some plastic around each corner of the base before you begin. This will prevent any water from leaking out while you’re working and can be easily removed when you’re done.
Step 1 – Remove The Toilet Seat
Remove the toilet seat by loosening the nut on top of it with a wrench. You may need pliers to help loosen the nut if it’s stuck there well. Also, remove any screws or bolts that are holding the seat in place.
Step 2 – Remove The Wax Ring And Flange
Use a putty knife or screwdriver to remove the wax ring from around the base of your toilet. This seals all that water and keeps everything nice and dry inside your toilet bowl. Once this is removed, set it aside so that no additional damage occurs to it during the installation of your new wax ring.
Step 3 – Remove The Old Toilet Base
Now that everything else has been removed from around your toilet bowl use a wrench or pliers to loosen up those nuts around each corner of your old base (see pic). You may need to hold the nut with one hand while loosening it with the other. Turn until all four nuts are off, then pull off your old base.
Step 4 – Install The New Toilet Base
Now that you have removed your old base, it’s time to install it! This is straightforward: match up all of the holes on the new base with those on your toilet bowl and snap it into place by hand. Remove any plastic caps from the bottom of your new base before doing this!
Will Silicone Fix A Cracked Toilet?
If the crack is small, you can repair it with silicone. However, if the crack is wide or deep or has been there for some time, you should consider replacing your toilet base instead.
To fix a cracked toilet base with silicone:
- Use a putty knife to remove any loose pieces of ceramic tile from around the base of your toilet.
- Fill in any cracks up to 1/4 inch wide with caulk or silicone sealant, making sure not to overfill them.
- Smooth down the caub using a wet rag or sponge. You can also use epoxy putty (available at hardware stores) for larger cracks that need filling.
If your toilet has been leaking recently due to this crack, check out our guide on fixing leaky toilets!
What Is The Best Sealant For A Cracked Toilet?
If you have a cracked toilet base, it is important to repair it immediately. This can be done easily with the right sealant and tools. Here are some tips on how to do it:
Clean the Crack
The first thing that you need to do is clean the crack well. You should use warm water with soap or detergent to remove any debris or dirt collected in the crack. You can also use a small brush or cloth if needed. Ensure all dirt and debris are removed from around the crack so the sealant will adhere properly.
Apply The Sealant
After cleaning out your toilet base, apply the sealant liberally into the crack using a putty knife or other tool. It is best to use epoxy resin as it will adhere well to most surfaces and will not peel away when exposed to water or moisture over time. If you are unsure whether your toilet base needs a new wax ring, this option may be worth considering instead of replacing the entire ring immediately!
Cleaning and Repairs
If you have a cracked toilet base, the first thing to do is to clean it off with a rag and mild soap. If there are other cracks around the base, you should do more than clean them off. If the crack is large, you can use caulking or epoxy to fix it. If your toilet has a metal ring on top of the base (to support the weight), tighten this ring before applying any caulking or epoxy material.
Caulking vs Epoxy
Both caulk and epoxy sealants are available at your local hardware store. Caulk is typically used for smaller cracks, while epoxy sealant is used for larger ones. Both products come with instructions on how much product to use for each application. Follow these instructions closely, so you don’t overuse or underuse the product resulting in wasted materials or leaky toilets!
What Material Is Used To Seal Cracks?
The type of material used to seal cracks depends on the surface being repaired. For a toilet bowl, epoxy or a similar adhesive may seal a small crack temporarily. However, for more permanent repairs, a plumber may use a special type of waterproof sealant designed for porcelain, such as a two-part epoxy or a silicone-based sealant.
The material used to seal cracks in toilet bases can vary depending on the damage and the material used in the original construction. However, epoxy adhesives usually seal cracks in ceramic toilet bases.
Why Use Epoxy Sealant?
If you have a crack in your ceramic toilet base, it is important to repair it properly so that water does not leak out and cause damage to other parts of your home. Epoxy sealant is an excellent choice because it can withstand high temperatures and will not degrade over time, as some other adhesives might. It also works well with porous and nonporous surfaces such as concrete or masonry materials and smooth glass surfaces without damaging them during installation or use.
Different types of sealants are used for other surfaces, such as concrete, wood, or metal. Examples include:
- Concrete: A concrete sealant, such as a concrete patching compound or sealant, can repair cracks in concrete surfaces.
- Wood: Wood filler or putty can fill cracks in wooden surfaces.
- Metal: Metal fillers or welds can be used to repair cracks in metal surfaces.
Which Chemical Is Used For Crack Repair?
Epoxy and polyurethane are the most common chemicals used for crack repair. Epoxy is an adhesive sealant that comes in resin and hardener. Polyurethane is a two-part sealant. Both epoxy and polyurethane are available at most hardware stores.
Epoxy Resins (Ep)
Epoxy resins are a two-part system that cures under heat and pressure to form a high-strength, corrosion-resistant bond. These systems have been used in the construction industry for decades. Epoxy is poured into the crack and allowed to cure. The excess material is then chipped or ground away, and the repair is complete.
Silicone Caulk
Silicone caulk is an interior/exterior sealant that resists water, weathering and most chemicals. Silicone caulk seals crack up to 1/8″ wide and remain flexible. It’s also paintable once cured, which makes it an ideal choice for cosmetic repairs on your toilet base.
Wrapping Up
If you have a cracked toilet base, then follow the steps above. If the crack is along an edge and you can access the underside of the base at appropriate intervals (if there are bulges) with a small chisel, then spend some time lightly tapping the chisel into the gap, as this will gradually erode some of the material in the crack and allow for it to close over time. Never force anything into these cracks, though, as this may cause even more issues regarding water leaks. Consider contacting a professional plumber to inspect your toilet base now and then anyway to ensure there isn’t any damage you haven’t noticed.