 This is a common problem in the bathroom. You wake up and by accident drop something heavy into the toilet and cause a crack or hole in the side of the bowl. The first thing you have to understand is that ceramic material is very brittle. It is strong and can be formed into many shapes and it will hold a glaze that will last decades longer than paint would last under the same conditions however it is not really repairable. In this case the damage is within the bowl and under water. This means that over time this hole has a good chance of cracking and the bowl braking. Normally they will break under load like when you are using it but sometimes they will brake when you are away. For the safest situation the solution is to replace the toilet however if this happens and you are not able to replace it for a couple days and you need to continue using it you could use epoxy to fill the hole if you allow it to cure before refilling the bowl with water. Repairing a Toilet temporarily with EpoxyTo attempt a temporary repair the first thing you need to do is turn off the water supply and drain the toilet. Drain both the bowl and the tank because you don’t want residual water running down over the epoxy as it cures. The next thing you want to do is clean the area where the epoxy will be applied and also use sand paper to roughen up the surface of the glaze about a half inch out from the hole. Be careful to not cause more damage as you work. Allow the area to dry fully and if you have one a hair dryer may help. The type of epoxy that you use is important. Because the ceramic has probably absorbed water you won’t have good results with a standard 2 part liquid but a putty type epoxy that is pressed well into the hole will probably seal off the area for some time. Final NoteRemember this is just a temporary fix so don’t rely on it for very long. As soon as you can you should start pricing toilets and the accessories needed like a wax ring and or supply line if needed and replace the toilet.
A cracked toilet can be a perplexing plumbing problem because the cracks are not always easy to spot. In some cases, the crack may have occurred when the toilet was first manufactured but does not surface for many years. Other times, a toilet can mysteriously develop a crack at any time and start leaking. More obvious cracking can occur due to an extreme temperature change that causes a crack that goes all the way through the porcelain. Whatever the cause of the crack, the first step toward a repair is locating it and assessing whether or not it can be fixed (or at least attempted). Hairline cracks often can be patched with a porcelain epoxy. Larger cracks or cracks that penetrate fully through a bowl usually cannot be repaired, requiring that the toilet be replaced. A toilet tank can have cracks above or below the water level and on the inside or outside. Where the crack is located will determine what action is needed.
If you find water on the floor near the toilet, a leak in the bowl is a possibility. Keep in mind that water may leak only when you flush the toilet, so flush while you check around the bowl for the crack that is causing the leak. Cracks in a toilet bowl can be difficult to identify, so it is a good idea to check for cracks on a regular basis.
If you have a hairline crack in the tank or the bowl, you may be able to stop the leak by sealing the crack with waterproof epoxy. Epoxy can also be effective for cracks at the base of the toilet, such as cracks or breakage around the bolts that secure the toilet to the floor. You can try repairing cracks under the water line with epoxy, but remember that it often doesn't work. In that case, replacement is the only option. Waterproof epoxy comes in two parts that you mix together immediately before applying. Most epoxies have only 15 to 30 minutes of working time before the material begins to harden. Choose an epoxy rated for use on porcelain tubs and sinks. Turn off the water supply to the toilet at the shutoff valve below the toilet tank. Turn the valve clockwise until it stops. Flush the toilet to drain water from the tank and bowl. Remove standing water in the tank or bowl, if necessary, by soaking it up with a sponge and wringing it out into a bucket. Wipe the porcelain dry.
The Spruce / Kevin Norris
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How to repair chipped porcelain toilet bowl
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