How to Fix a Cracked Bathroom Sink?

Have your bathroom sink developed a crack?

If so, you should consider repairing the cracked sink. Replacing the whole sink will be expensive.

You can reduce this expense by fixing the crack yourself.

Let’s get into the details on how to do this.

Identifying the Crack

Before you can fix a cracked bathroom sink, it’s essential to identify the type of crack and assess the damage. In this section, we’ll discuss hairline cracks and broken pieces in more detail.

Hairline Cracks

Hairline cracks are small, thin cracks that often appear on the surface of your bathroom sink. They might not be visible from a distance, but a closer inspection usually reveals their presence. To identify a hairline crack, follow these steps:

Clean the sink thoroughly, removing any dirt or debris that might hide the cracks.
Use a flashlight to inspect the sink from different angles, ensuring you don’t miss any hairline cracks.
If you find a crack, mark it with a piece of tape or a washable marker, so you don’t lose track of it during the repair process.

Although hairline cracks may not cause structural issues, they can allow water to seep into the sink material, leading to more significant problems over time. Therefore, it’s essential to address these cracks as soon as possible.

Broken Pieces

Broken pieces or larger cracks in a bathroom sink pose a more significant issue. They can affect the sink’s functionality, leading to leaks, water damage, and possibly even injury if the sink collapses. To check for broken pieces or larger cracks:

First, clean the sink, making sure to remove any debris from the surface.
Visually inspect the sink for any obvious cracks or broken pieces.
Run your hands over the surface of the sink, feeling for any inconsistencies or sharp edges that might indicate a crack or broken piece.

If you find any larger cracks or broken pieces, it’s crucial to address them immediately by either repairing the damage or replacing the sink entirely, depending on the severity of the problem.

In summary, identifying the type of crack in your bathroom sink is the first step in fixing the issue. Whether it’s a hairline crack or a broken piece, it’s crucial to properly assess the damage and take appropriate action to prevent further complications.

Fixing Cracked Bathroom Sink

Here are the steps to fix a cracked bathroom sink:

Select a Sink Repair Kit

You can buy a sink repair kit from a local or online hardware store. There are several inexpensive kits that can help fix all types of sinks. A repair kit contains all the tools required to repair a crack in the sink.

A typical bathroom sink repair kit consists of the following tools:

Coarse Sandpaper
Fine Grit Sandpaper
Spreading tools
Plastic gloves
Scraper
Gel dye
Mixing resins

Sink repair kits work on a number of different materials. For instance, the HomeTinker Porcelain Repair Kit available in Amazon can be used to repair a wide variety of sink materials including porcelain, acrylic, fiberglass, ceramic, enameled cast iron, and steel.

The bathroom sink repair kit generally comes with a gel dye with different hues. You can create a color that will blend seamlessly with the original finish.

Make sure that the sink repair kit does not contain toxic and environmentally harmful chemicals. Also, the kit should come with the important gears, which will be required for repairing the crack in the sink.

Before selecting a repair kit, you must read the reviews online. You should use a repair kit that is designed for your sink type. The kit will contain instructions on what materials you can use to repair the crack in the bathroom sink.

Apart from the items contained in the kit, you will also need additional materials. A disposable plastic cup or plate will be required for mixing the resin. Moreover, a painter’s tape is important for sealing the surface so that the adhesive material can stick to it. Damp paper towels will also come in handy to wipe splatters or spills.

Ensure Proper Ventilation

Before using the sink repair kit to repair the bathroom crack, you need to ensure that the place is properly ventilated. This is important to avoid inhaling noxious fumes that are created when using chemicals to seal the crack.

Most sink crack repair kits state on the packaging that the sealant is odorless. But many people have found that this is not true. They have often reported an unpleasant smell after opening the kit.

To prevent inhaling the fumes, you should turn on the bath fan and open the windows. You should also leave the door open to avoid the concentration of dangerous fumes inside the bathroom.

Prepare the Area

You must prepare the surface area of the sink before repairing the crack. Use fine-grit sandpaper to gently sand the chips and cracks in the sink. This will roughen the surface allowing the repair mixture to stick to the sink.

Once you have sanded the area, you must clean it using liquid soap, water, and a non-abrasive sponge. Consider adding baking soda to water to remove soap scum from the sink.

Dirt, dust, and moisture can affect the results. So, you should dry it completely once you have cleaned the sink.

Mix the Resins

Put on the gloves and add substrates in a plastic cup or plate as per the instructions. The amount that you should add depends on the severity and length of the crack. You will require just a tablespoon of each substrate for fixing small cracks.

Make sure that the ratio of the substrates is accurate. The substrates should be added in equal parts i.e. 1:1 ratio. Not mixing the substrates as per the recommended ratio could prevent ideal results. You can use a popsicle stick to mix the substrate so that they blend fully.

Mix the substrates by slowly moving the popsicle stick in different directions. The resin containers should be put on a paper towel when mixing. This will prevent the resin from sticking to the container when mixing.

Most sink crack repair kits come with two color gels including black and golden brown. The instruction manual will contain information on how to get the desired color. Read the instructions carefully to find out the percentage you should mix to get your desired color.

You must use a tiny amount of black color gel, about 0.1 percent of the mixture to get a white shade. Add the dye to the resin mixture using the extreme tip of the popsicle stick. If you want a darker shade of white, you should add another tiny drop to the mixture.

Remember that the resin color won’t change after it has dried. So, you must add additional dye to match with the sink if required when mixing.

Apply the Solution

The resin should be used within half an hour. This is critical as it will become hard and therefore unusable if you wait for more than 30 minutes after mixing the resin.

Use the popsicle stick or toothpick to apply the mixture to the crack. You must gently push the resin mixture inside the crack.

You should apply the right quantity of the mixture onto the crack. Applying too much mixture will make it difficult to smoothen the area. However, if you don’t apply the right quantity of the mixture, the chips or cracks will start to show in the sink.

For small cracks, you should apply the mixture using a toothpick. You must go slow and apply little at a time to avoid applying to the non-affected area. The resin can overlap the cracked area a little. But you should not be careless when applying the solution as it will create difficulty later on in cleaning the area.

Scrape to Smoothen Resin

Use a scraper to smoothen the resin that you have applied over the crack. You can also use any flat object such as a rubber spatula or a playing card if the kit does not contain a scrapper. You must select a material that you won’t mind disposing of afterward since it will be difficult to remove the resin.

Create a downward motion in one direction when using a scraper to smoothen the area. Be careful not to scrape off the resin too much as the crack will become visible if you do so. Add more resin if the crack becomes visible again.

You must use a damp paper towel to wipe excess resin around the cracked area. This will make it easier for you to clean the area afterward.

Let the Mixture Dry

You must allow the resin to dry for about 24 hours. This will let the resin settle into the crack. Indentation could appear if you don’t let the mixture dry effectively before using the sink.

Make sure that the bathroom is dry. You should not use the shower or sink during this period. Moreover, you should turn the AC/heat dial to 72 degrees Fahrenheit. Turning on the fan is not necessary as it won’t speed up the drying process.

You should consider hanging a notice outside the bathroom door to remind others not to use the bathroom as the resin is allowed to dry. Consider tying a plastic bag across the faucet to ensure that no one turns on the water in the bathroom.

Smooth the Area

Once the resin has dried up completely, you should use sandpaper to smooth the area. You must gently buff the area so that the resin material blends in with the original surface. Sanding the area will make it more uniform by getting rid of uneven spots and bumps.

You must sand the area carefully in a clockwise motion. Avoid pressing down too hard when sanding as it can cause further damage. Lift the sandpaper periodically to ensure that you don’t over-sand the area. The process can take about ten to fifteen minutes.

In case the crack is visible after you have smoothed the surface, you will have to add more resin and repeat the above steps. This mostly happens if you have not let the mixture dry properly before sanding the area.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best method to repair hairline cracks in porcelain sinks?

To repair hairline cracks in porcelain sinks, clean and dry the affected area first. Then use a specialized porcelain repair kit, which contains a filler and a hardener.

Mix them according to the instructions, apply the mixture to the crack, and let it cure as per the given time in the instructions. After it is cured, lightly sand it and polish it to match the surrounding surface.

How can I fix a sink cracked all the way through?

When a sink has a crack that goes all the way through, you need a slightly different method. Clean and dry the area around the crack. Use epoxy putty to fill the crack, starting on one side and working your way through to the other side.

Smooth the putty with a spackling knife and let it cure following the manufacturer’s instructions. You may need to reinforce the repair with fiberglass tape on the underside of the sink, if the crack is large or the sink seems unstable.

Which bathroom sink repair kit is most effective?

The effectiveness of a bathroom sink repair kit depends on the type of sink material and the extent of the damage. For porcelain and ceramic sinks, a porcelain repair kit can fix hairline cracks and chips effectively.

For other materials like enamel or fiberglass, there are specialized kits available. You should choose a kit that is designed specifically for your sink’s material, and always follow the instructions carefully.

What is the best ceramic sink repair kit?

A good ceramic sink repair kit should include a filler, a hardener, and a finish that matches your sink’s color.

Some popular options include Sheffield 1126 Porcelain Touch-Up Kit, MagicEzy 9 Second Chip Fix, and Devcon 90216 White Almond Bath Tub Epoxy Repair Kit. Choose a kit with positive reviews and follow the instructions for the best results.

How can I repair a cracked enamel sink?

For repairing a cracked enamel sink, you will need an enamel repair kit. Clean the area and make sure it is completely dry.

Apply the repair compound provided in the kit to the damaged area, and let it cure as per the instructions given. Once cured, sand and polish the repaired area to blend it with the rest of the sink’s surface.

Which adhesive is ideal for patching a cracked sink?

To patch a cracked sink effectively, use a strong adhesive that is waterproof and compatible with your sink’s material.

Epoxy or epoxy putty works well with most sink materials such as porcelain, ceramic, enamel, and fiberglass. Make sure to let the adhesive cure completely before using the sink again.

Final Remarks

The steps mentioned in this blog post will help you to fix a cracked bathroom sink. This will save you a lot of money that would otherwise be required to replace the bathroom sink.

To ensure that the sink does not crack again, you should take certain precautions. A crack in the bathroom can develop due to several reasons. A sink can get chips, cracks, or scratches if you drop a heavy item. So, keep heavy items away from the bathroom sink.

Cracks can also appear due to thermal stress. This happens due to the sudden rise or fall of temperature. The cracks in the sink appear since they are layered on metal that is not a good conductor of heat. You should avoid pouting water that is too hot or cold to avoid a crack.

Sometimes a crack can develop in the sink when it is too old. Large cracks and even holes can appear on an old sink. You must replace your old sink that has developed a large crack. If the crack is small then you can defiantly hire someone or fix it up yourself.

Other articles you may also like: