How did my toilet tank crack?

Question

I left my house and the toilet was fine. It had not been bumped at all. When I got home 2 hours later, a huge crack ran down the side of the tank! Water flooded everywhere! This house is a rental and the landlord is saying I broke it! How can it crack without an impact? The toilet is 17 years old. I've lived there 10 months. I didn't touch the bolts. The temperature in our house did drop to near freezing several months ago during a six day power outage. What resources can I use to research this for my defense? Thanks

Answer 1

If it is several months since the power outage, it had some other sort of help.

Answer 2

Sorry I can't be more precise, but I would think you are on the right track in looking at temp changes which causes items to expand and contract. In an item that doesn't "give" to these kinds of extremes, the strength will be compromised, and then an unlikely amount of pressure (like a bump, or the weight of the water inside) to blow the toilet apart.

Are you sure no one was in your house when you were gone for that two hours? If you know that anyone was home, you might try the old third degree on your kids, etc and see if something weird happened that they broke it. Kids and toilets always result in some horrible plumbing stories. hahaha!!

I don't know if you can wiggle out of this responsibility, but I do feel for you, because your flooring was probably damaged, and if the bathroom is a second floor room, well, then you have ceiling problems on the first floor.

One angle you may be able to pursue if you can prove that the crack was related to weather, is that there wasn't enough insulation in the plumbing or in the wall behind the toilet (if it is on an exterior wall), thus resulting in the weakening of the toilet tank. However this may very easily be considered an "act of God" where NO one has to take responsibility.

You might be able to compromise with the landlord and pay for half of all the expenses.

Answer 3

Toilet Tank Cracked No Reason

Answer 4

If the tank is 17 years old, then that should be considered "normal wear and tear" regardless of what actually caused the crack. Toilet tanks are VERY fragile. There could have been a hair line crack for months. The landlord should replace the tank with no penalty, or threat of penalty, to you. If he doesn't, then contact your city's housing authority who should deem the property uninhabitable until the tank is replaced.

Answer 5

Here is the answer. New toilets are made CHEAP-inferior porcelain, not aging the kiln bake properly and way too thin. I own properties that are quite old ( over 40 years old) and NOT ONE has ever cracked- even with knocks etc. The few replacements I have made due to tenant abuse was with new toilets and they have cracked with NO reason.
Buy the most expensive toilet you can afford-not $100. More expensive ones are thicker and not as subject to cracking. You get what you pay for!!!!!!!

Answer 6

Hi, it's from over tightening the tank to bowl bolts. Don't let anyone convince you of some other reason. The crack occurred with installation,and was undetectable until the stress from contraction ,[ change in temp. ] and from movement caused by normal everyday use, plus pressure from water inside, finally caused it to give. You are not responsible for the cost of a new toilet, under that condition. Tell your landlord that. Bye

Answer 7

Old porcelin will crack and crumble after a certain age.
Suprised that one made it seventeen years ! Your lanlord seems like he just wants you to pay for it !
See if there is any sealer around the area where it cracked . He may have seen it cracking awhile ago and put sealer it ???
Check it out and take pictures .
Also I would get a local licensed plumber to look at it and write it up that this was a result of age ,and not someone damaging it.
It may cost a few bucks ,but it will be worth it !
Hope that helps !

Answer 8

I was away from home a week ago for 3hrs. when I got back " toilet tank in master bathroom had cracked. I was so frustrated water was all over my bathroom . and going into my closet. this house was new when I moved in. I been in my home for 7 yrs. What do you guys think about that. I have sealed the crack with silicone flex seal. it has been a week now. so far it is holding. do you think I need to go ahead & get another toilet.

Answer 9

The wonderful thing about porcelain is that cracks don't always lack right away. If it had been comprised at any given point something as simply as laying something on top of it could spring a leak.

I have seen older toilet fell apart from the inside (trap). With out a doubt no one had bumped them there.

Bishop
www.bishop-pua.com

Answer 10

did you have anything sitting on top of the tank. if so you did the same thing my grandmother did. she put stuff on top of the tank and cracked it. also it could have been some kind of temperature shock but im not sure
sorry i dont know were you could research. if your landlord says you broke it and wants you to pay i would just pay it because to get a lawyer or what ever would cost alot more money

Answer 11

Is it possible that you or someone else has sat back on the toilet far enough to press against the tank? Maybe pushing on the tank caused it to develop stress at the bolt holes.

If you have kids, you can always blame it on them :)