I've read about cracked toilet bowls being a catasrophe waiting to happen and I can appreciate this, but I seek expert opinion based on my case. There is a crack across the top of the bowl that I have. It seems superficial but it goes from the inside, over the rim and down the outside so I'm quite sure this needs to be changed. I can't find a toilet to match the color from the seventies (and don't want to do a 15,000 dollar redo)and I'm also not that happy with the new toilets as they don't seem to flush as well and make banging noises.
My neighbor was renovating her bathroom and her toilet was in perfect shape, so her contractor took out her bowl and left it on my front porch. Cleaned it up and it sparkles like new... Only problem is that when he was loosening the bolts it made a hairline crack on the base, near the bolts... My contractor said that that is acceptable because he puts a double seal and where the bolt is is just cosmetic.. that no water will come from the flush. He also says that is not a problem the same way the crack across the top of the bowl is.
I doubt if he would put it in if it was totally wrong thing to do, but then I read things that contradict this... Can you support what we plan to do. I don't know what to think. Thanks.

I would say its OK can you feel the crack or is it smooth if its smooth its fine if not I would put some kind of sealer

I think this question was here few days ago and was properly answered by our Experts. Anyway...

Cracked toilet is cracked toilet. It can break in half anytime you sit on it. Sorry about the color but... I would suggest that you buy cheap , white, toilet for now, wait until somebody else on your street does remodel, and once you have the right color toilet - install it in place of the cheap one.

Area of bowl where bolts penetrate the base is very important and should be intact. Your "contractor" is wrong. If he installs that toilet, it will be rocking, eventually breaking the other side not to mention it will most likely cause sewage leak.

New, Low Flush Toilets are being used for almost 20 years now and they work well. Fill and Flush parts inside the tank are more-less the same as the always were for the last 100 years. Except for the power flush units, toilets continue to work on the same principle. Knocking in pipes after toilet is flushed is not toilet problem.

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Originally Posted by Mazze1

I'm also not that happy with the new toilets as they don't seem to flush as well and make banging noises.

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You'd be surprised at how well some of the new low flow toilets flush while wasting much less water doing it. The banging issue is indicative of another problem not some new "feature" with new toilets.

Like Milo said Mazze1... we answered this question the other day..?

Here is exactly what I posted at the question:

The bowl is connected to the closet flange STRICTLY by the holes in the toilet bowl. This being said, as soon as anyone sits on the toilet they will strain the closet bolts and as this continues the toilet bowl WILL CRACK at the crack at the base of the toilet bowl.. even with a double wax gasket... ;) Sorry!

The crack in your old bowl sounds to be less of an issue than the new (old) bowl as far as I am concerned.

If you want to do away with both toilets, today's toilet bowls are not as poorly functioning as they were years back... good names include Toto, kohler and american standard... best choice is probably white for colored bathroom. Some of these toilets really kick A** as they have increased the flush valve to 3" and this is really making a difference in evacuating the waste!

Seems Milo and 45notdaddy agree... ;)

Let us know if you want to discuss more...



MARK

I agree with the other experts. China's very brittle and little cracks can grow into big cracks. When a bowl's installed all the pressure and strain occur at the closet bolts exactly where you say the crack is. This can't get better, it can only get worse. Good luck, Tom