Stop a hairline crack in a toilet cistern or pan before the leak gets worse
“The product itself was bought to seal up a hairline crack in a toilet cistern. Two weeks since applying it there is no sign of a leak, so it really does do what it says on the tin.”
– Hester Broughton, Judge.me review
Toilet cisterns and pans often develop hairline cracks in the porcelain that cause slow, easily-missed leaks long before the damage is visible.
Captain Tolley’s Creeping Crack Cure uses capillary action to seep into these cracks and seal them from the inside, often for a fraction of the cost of calling out a plumber or replacing the cistern entirely.
“Knew about this from my sailing days. So when faced with a leaking toilet cistern and visitors arriving in a few days’ time I looked to see if it was still available. Did the job a treat and really pleased with the result. Here is a tip. If you have to reach a joint down into a difficult place with little room for your hands try pouring it down a child’s drinking straw. One of those with an articulated end is ideal. Worked for me.”
– Ronald Gillson, Judge.me review
One customer mended a hair-breadth crack on their toilet cistern, calling it much cheaper than calling a plumber, who would likely have recommended a full replacement.
– Pelagius, verified Amazon customer
Another sealed a hairline crack in a toilet pan, sorted after a couple of applications.
– Lesmond, verified Amazon customer
*For best results, apply in dry conditions above 10°C / 50°F and keep the area dry while it cures. Cold or damp weather slows curing, and moisture can dilute the sealant before it sets, so allow extra time if conditions aren’t ideal.
Creeping Crack Cure works on hairline cracks in the porcelain that are less than 0.8mm wide, with the area clean, dry and grease-free. In practice, that means a fine crack you can see but can’t fit a fingernail or thin card into, the kind that causes a slow leak or a damp patch around the base. Because the sealant is drawn in by capillary action, it works best on cracks this fine. Wider splits, chips and gaps you can see through need a gap-filling repair or a replacement instead.
Cure time depends on the room as much as the repair. The sealant cures fastest in dry conditions above 10°C / 50°F.
Cold or damp air slows it down, and moisture can mix with the sealant and dilute it before it sets.
In a warm, dry bathroom a cistern may be ready in around three days, but one in a cold, damp cloakroom at the back of the house can take up to a week.
Before refilling, assess the room. How cold and damp is it, and has it stayed that way while the sealant cured? If conditions aren’t ideal, allow extra time and, where you can, warm and ventilate the room while it cures. Then do a small test-fill before relying on the repair.
Hairline cracks in window frames and glazing let moisture in, especially where the seal around the glass has shrunk or perished with age.
Cracked plates, bowls, and treasured china can be repaired before the crack spreads further with every wash and use.
Constant exposure to water and weight makes shower trays and door seals especially prone to hairline cracks that lead to leaks in the floor below.
Conservatory glazing seals face the same extremes of sun and rain as a boat's coachroof, making them prone to cracking and water ingress over time.
