A toilet without a cistern is like a car without a steering wheel, so understanding whether there’s any way to repair a cracked toilet cistern is a handy skill to have.
If your toilet cistern has a crack, then repair or replacement is essential to ensure your toilet functions as it should.
What’s the first step to repairing a cracked toilet cistern?
The first thing to do is to make sure you understand the problem, so check the following things:
- Is the cistern leaking?
- Will the toilet flush?
- Is the toilet constantly running?
- Is the toilet blocked?
The answer to these questions can help you understand whether you can attempt to do the job yourself, or whether it’s time to call a professional.
Am I allowed to tackle toilet plumbing?
As a rule of thumb, most plumbing, gas or electrical work is best done by professionals, and some serious tasks are strongly regulated to keep everyone safe. When you take into account the impact on insurance, and the possibility that you may need to get someone to fix your mistakes, calling a top-notch tradie can often be the best value solution.
Having said that, if you’re a competent DIYer, then a task like repairing or replacing a toilet cistern should be achievable – just be sure to follow the steps below and call a professional if you run into difficulty.
How to repair a cracked toilet cistern
Your toilet cistern is specially designed to withstand water pressure – nonetheless, cracks can appear, and if these are neglected, you could find yourself with a more serious problem which could mean having to replace your whole cistern.
As well as these hairline cracks that form over time, a toilet cistern may need repair after a sharp impact, or if something is dropped on it.
What to do when your toilet tank cracks
The first sign of a crack in your cistern may be that the tank is leaking. It’s essential that this sort of repair is tackled straight away – if you leave it, the crack will get worse, and the water damage will increase.
Tools you need to repair your water tank
Gather everything you need before you start the job – here’s a list of the essentials:
- Waterproof silicone plumbing epoxy
- Caulking gun
- Putty knife
- Chamois cloths
- Towels
- Sponges
Step by step guide to repairing a cracked water tank
1. Turn off the water and flush the toilet
Regardless of the severity of the leak, it’s essential to turn off the water supply. Any excess water will spread to the floor, and water damage is costly and challenging to remedy. You’ll usually find a stop tap just behind the toilet.
2. Dry the inside of the tank
You’ll be using a sealant to repair the crack, and a sealant needs a dry surface to be effective, so it’s essential to dry the inside of the tank. Grab your sponges, towels, chamois and cloths and dry the tank with meticulous precision. Leave it to air dry for as long as possible. If the weather is cold or damp, you may want to pop the heating on to help things along.
3. Apply silicone epoxy to the crack
There is a raft of sealants available – you should be using one that’s designed for plumbing use and that can withstand large volumes of water. A plumber’s merchant will advise you. The best way to apply the sealant is with a caulking gun and to start just above the crack and work your way down.
4. Smooth things out
Grad your putty knife and smooth your sealant out so no raised or lumpy surfaces remain.
5. Let it dry
Leave the sealant for a minimum of 24 hours so it can dry. It’s worth using this time to check for any other cracks too.
6. Refill the cistern
Once you’re happy the sealant is dry, it’s time to refill the cistern. Keep a close eye to make sure the sealant has done its job. If you notice any additional leaks, this is the time to tackle them – drain the tank and repeat steps 1-5.
When to call the professionals
We hope you’ve found our guide useful, and that if you ever find yourself needing to repair a cracked toilet tank, it’s a helpful tool. Remember we’re always on hand to help, and if you’re not sure about how to repair a cracked toilet tank, then it may be best to call the professionals.
Choosing the team at Endpoint Plumbing, which has over ten years of experience, means you’ll have the services of an expert who can diagnose and fix the problem with minimum fuss. A professional plumber will have access to all the tools, equipment, and tech to fix your problem with ease. All in all, you may find choosing a pro is the most economical choice in the long run, so don’t hesitate to give us a call on 0478 800 689 to get a quote.