Symptoms
- Water pooling around the base that isn't from the wax ring
- Visible crack line on the bowl exterior
- Water level drops on its own between flushes
- Crack may be near the floor or partway up the bowl
Likely causes
- CommonImpact or dropped heavy objectA dropped tool or heavy item can crack the bowl porcelain.
- PossibleFreezing temperaturesWater freezing inside the bowl in an unheated space can expand and crack the porcelain.
- PossibleAge-related stress fractureOld porcelain can eventually develop a crack from years of use and minor settling.
What to do
- Stop using the toilet immediately, since continued use will make the leak worse and risks a bigger failure.
- Turn off the water supply at the shutoff valve.
- Confirm the crack is in the bowl itself and not just a wax ring or supply line leak, by drying everything and watching where water reappears.
- Do not attempt a long-term epoxy patch on a cracked bowl, since it holds standing water and waste under regular stress.
- Plan to replace the toilet, since bowls generally cannot be safely repaired long-term.
Tools and parts
- Towels
Replacement toiletSearch: “standard height toilet replacement”
When to call a pro
Call a plumber for toilet replacement, since a cracked bowl is not a permanent DIY-safe repair.
Safety
Use caution
Stop using a cracked bowl right away; a sudden larger crack can release a lot of water quickly.