How to glue a cracked toilet cistern at home, the best tools and instructions
Whatever the cause of the faults, the questions of what to do when the toilet tank is cracked and how the damaged plumbing can be glued together, are solved according to a single algorithm. At the same time, it is important to choose a product that can not only eliminate the defect, but also withstand constant contact with water. For this purpose, commercial formulations and homemade adhesive mixtures are suitable.
The main causes of cracks in the toilet tank
Plumbers identify three common causes of damage to toilet tanks;
- mechanical shock;
- installation errors;
- the temperature drops.
Toilet bowls are mostly made of terracotta or porcelain. Both materials are more demanding in terms of maintenance. Therefore, regardless of operating conditions, toilet bowls begin to leak over time.In some cases, it is impossible to eliminate defects using the described methods.This applies in particular to large fractures of the base of the bowl.
It is not recommended to eliminate the last plumbing defect with the help of improvised means. In this case, replace the broken toilet with a new one.
Mechanical stress
Chips, cracks and other damage to the toilet bowl occur when a solid object falls on the plumbing fixture from a sufficient height. Often, the defects come from a blow to earthenware or porcelain, or even a bottle of shaving foam. In this regard, it is recommended to install cabinets in which household chemicals and other items are stored, if possible, outside the toilet.
The temperature difference
Cold water is used to flush the toilets. This choice is due to several reasons (including savings on utility bills). In contact with hot water, earthenware and porcelain begin to expand. Moreover, this process takes place only in a certain area. Uneven expansion creates stress in the material, leading to cracks.
Installation faults
It is not recommended to use excessive force when tightening the bolts holding both the toilet bowl and the individual parts of the plumbing fixture. Due to this (against the background of the increased pressure exerted by the fastener), tension also arises inside the material, as a result of which porcelain and earthenware are covered with cracks.
How to stick well at home
The difficulty of gluing the toilet tank is due to the fact that cracks and chips on the surface of earthenware and porcelain do not have a smooth texture. For this reason, the adhesive does not hold the broken device parts together.Therefore, this procedure often needs to be performed twice or more.
What is necessary
For gluing porcelain and earthenware products you will need:
- fine sandpaper;
- acetone (gasoline), which is needed to remove grease from the toilet;
- glue;
- Scotch.
You will also need wipes to remove excess adhesive. Before proceeding with gluing, it is necessary to turn off the water supply and drain the tank.
Surface preparation
The procedure for preparing the surface for restoration work depends on the nature of the defect. This procedure will require more force for deep cracks that extend to both sides of the tank.
Unilateral damages
In case of one-sided damage, the cracks must first be cleaned of dirt (a brush with hard bristles is suitable for this), then wipe off the grease with acetone or gasoline. Similar actions should be taken with respect to the escaped part.
Bilateral cracks
Before proceeding with cleaning the surface and gluing the cistern, it is recommended to use a fine ceramic drill to make a hole at the bottom of the crack. This is necessary in order to avoid further discrepancies between the fault and the plumbing split. Then you need to use a grinder to expand the crack and process the inner surfaces according to the described algorithm. Subsequently, the damaged area is repaired with a two-component epoxy resin.
Bonding technology
The procedure for bonding terracotta and porcelain fixtures depends on the size of the defect. The algorithm within which this procedure is carried out is the same for all formulations used.
Universal Waterproof Adhesive
It is recommended to use adhesives of this type to eliminate defects in places that are not constantly in contact with water:
- the junction of the tank and the bowl;
- toilet rim;
- the outer side of the tank and others.
The gluing of the cistern is carried out in three stages. Debris and other foreign particles are removed first. Then the material is degreased. And after that, glue is applied and the broken fragment is squeezed out. The period for which you need to hold the material is indicated in the instructions for the glue.
This method is suitable for restoring those parts of the toilet tank that are not subject to increased stress.
An epoxy resin
Epoxy resin is used to seal one-sided cracks. This product removes defects better than all-purpose glue. To repair a damaged tank, you must mix the two components of this agent (hardener and resin) and apply to the problem area. After that you need to press on the place of pasting. In this case, any remedy will do, including scotch tape. After the resin has hardened, it is recommended to clean the bonding site with fine sandpaper and felt.
Silicone sealant or liquid solder
Both products are suitable for repairing small cracks and bonding chipped fragments. Surface preparation for this case is carried out according to a similar algorithm. If a sealant is used, you must first saturate the surfaces with silicone, removing excess with a spatula, then walk with a soapy hand, thereby smoothing the composition. This recovery option is convenient in that the tank can be used 20 minutes after the end of the manipulations.
Liquid welding gives the same result as putty. This tool must first be rolled out between your hands, and then applied to problem areas, tamping the cracks.After the four hours it takes for the paste to harden, sand the surface with emery paper.
Final finish
It is recommended to treat the surface with fine-grained sandpaper in each of the above cases. If the crack was large, then after sealing the connecting points should be painted in the appropriate color. Otherwise, the area where the defect is located will stand out from the rest of the tank.
And it is recommended to seal the inner joint with tile grout.
Overview of ready-to-use formulations
Various means are used to eliminate defects on cisterns.In addition to those described, liquid nails, which are applied according to the specified algorithm, help to restore terracotta and porcelain products. Specialized means, such as Unicum, BF-2 or Rapid, are also able to cope with such defects.
BF-2
BF-2 is a universal adhesive that is used to restore various materials, including plumbing tiles. When buying this product, you should pay attention to the labeling. A number of BF-2 varieties are not suitable for bonding a toilet bowl.
Unique
One-component epoxy resin based on rubber and other additives. Unicum is distinguished by its increased resistance to temperature extremes, but it does not tolerate the effects of open fire.
Fast
Another type of epoxy used to restore plumbing fixtures. Rapid, unlike Unicum, is suitable for removing defects on porcelain. This product dries completely in two days.
Homemade glue recipes
For gluing porcelain and earthenware, you can prepare your own compositions from the following components (optional):
- 1 volume of glass for 2 volumes of sieved sand. Then add 6 parts of sodium silicate.
- 1 part lime to 2 parts chalk and 2.5 - sodium silicate. After mixing, the composition should be applied immediately.
- 1 part turpentine to 2 parts shellac. After mixing, the composition must be heated and then cooled. Before each use, the mass must be melted on fire.
- The gypsum is kept in alum for 24 hours. Then the composition is dried, calcined and divided into several parts. Then each piece is diluted in water until a creamy mixture is obtained.
It is recommended to apply the above formulations to problem surfaces immediately after preparation.
How to glue large cracks
Large cracks are repaired using the following algorithm:
- Holes are drilled at the ends of the defect.
- The crack is widened with a grinder, without applying excessive force so that the toilet does not burst.
- The internal parts of the crack are treated with acetone.
- Tape is glued to the back, after which epoxy is applied to the gap.
After the glue has set, the surface should be sanded with sandpaper.
Precautionary measures
To prevent the formation of cracks and slopes on the toilet, it is recommended to keep objects that can fall from above the plumbing fixture away. After installation, do not tighten the tank or base additionally. And if the work is carried out in the toilet using tools, the toilet must be covered with a soft material.
Additional tips and tricks
When choosing an adhesive, one should be guided by the materials for which these compositions are suitable. Multipurpose products do not provide sufficient adhesion. Therefore, it is recommended to take a separate glue for ceramics, and a porcelain toilet should be restored using an appropriate composition.