Testing for a Toilet Bowl or Tank Crack

Toilet cracks are hard to find when they are very small, because they do not always show on the outside of the toilet. Deciding if a hairline crack exists at all can be challenging because water condenses on the outside of many toilet tanks and bowls, creating a small amount of wetness around the base of the toilet. Adding colored dye to the water tank will make it easy to see if the toilet tank or bowl has a crack.

Steps to Find Cracks in Toilets - Listed in order from easiest to most difficult.

Mineral deposits form if the toilet bowl is cracked for a long time, so using a bright light and inspecting the outside of the bowl is one way to find small cracks. This is the simplest, and therefore the preferred first step for most homeowners.

Adding color to the water lets you see inner toilet bowl cracks due to the porous nature of the porcelain clay under the glazed finish. If a crack is not found in the first inspection, get either 1 blue toilet cleaning disk or 1/2 bottle food dye.

Remove the lid from the toilet tank. Drop the blue disk, or pour the food dye, into the tank. Wait 5 minutes, and flush the toilet.

Wait for the colored water to stop running, and let it settle. If you're using the blue toilet cleaning tablets 2 or 3 flushes may be necessary to create enough colored water. Look for colored water seeping through the outside of the toilet bowl, and look at the inside of the toilet bowl for colored crack lines. This often takes several attempts if you are looking for a crack in the bowl, because the water moves in the bowl. This is why it is easier to find a crack in the toilet tank than the bowl - the water rests in the tank for a longer time.

The final, and most difficult measure, if a crack is still suspected, is to drain and remove the toilet then inspect it while you have it upside down. This step is pretty drastic, and most homeowners will prefer not want to tackle it. But, if you cannot afford a plumber, or simply like to do things yourself, removal may be the only way to find a small crack in the toilet bowl.

You do not have to settle for excess water seeping all over your bathroom floor. If you can find the crack in a toilet bowl, repair options are available, or the toilet can be replaced.