Hairline Crack in Toilet Tank - Repair or Replace

[KC27]

I have an American Standard Cadet 3 that has been in use for three years. I noticed a hairline crack in the outside of the front-center portion of the tank. The tank is 12" high, and this crack starts at the top and goes down 6". The crack is visible from the inside of the tank, too. Are tanks repairable? If so, what is the best way to make the repair?

 

[George Leavell]

I attempted to repair a tank for a toilet from my mother-in-law. I just used some JB weld as I recall. However it didn't hold up it still leaked so we replaced the toilet.

 

[Sponsor]

 

[John Gayewski]

I'm sure they are repairable, but to properly do it would cost more than a new tank by a lot.

 

[Terry]

I'm sure they are repairable, but to properly do it would cost more than a new tank by a lot.

It seems that the tanks are sold for less than $70 most everywhere. I would never trust a tank with a crack in my home, I've seen them break in half when the homeowners are at work and caused quite a bit of water damage to the home. How good is your home insurance?.

 

[KC27]

OK, thanks for the answers. I will get a new tank.

I do not know how we damaged the tank. The seat has dampers, so it lowers slowly and offers resistance when raised, so it would be hard to slam the seat lid into the tank when lifting the seat. Plus, it would seem the tank lid would crack from that kind of treatment, not the tank itself.

The toilet came from Home Depot. I will start with them for a replacement tank.

 

[KC27]

American Standard is sending me a replacement tank at no charge. It will take a week to get here. Is there anything I can do to help keep the tank in one piece until the replacement arrives? I was thinking of wrapping the tank in tape. Is that worth doing, or is it better to leave it alone?

 

[WorthFlorida]

When not at home or overnight, shut the water off at the stop valve and flush the toilet to empty the tank.

 

[Jeff H Young]

kind of sounds negligent for someone to not turn the water off. I would consider it your fault if your house floods. to continue to use it I think is your own risk shouldn't be an insurance claim. So I would take it out of service immediately

 

[Plant.One]

what jeff said.

just shut the toilet off and take it out of service when not in use. if its the only toilet in the home, then water on/off at use to minimize risk until replacement parts arrive. rough way to have to do, but limits liability to damage to your home.

 

[Jeff H Young]

my buddy had a rental unit that had leaks that went on with mold etc tenant moved out place was a wreck, insurance company denied claim , said that they were negligent all repairs were up to owner to pay

 

[KC27]

Thanks - sounds like tape is not sufficient. We will close the supply line at night and when no one is home.