Here's What To Do If You Break The Toilet Tank Cover

Although repairing a running toilet is a DIY job most homeowners can handle with ease, it can occasionally cause a bigger issue. In particular, you might drop and break the tank lid, which leaves the top of the appliance open to the elements. Think about how often you have to wipe down the lid to keep your toilet dust-free. Although your latrine will still work and you can certainly use it without a cover, you don't want that dust ending up in the water, potentially clogging up the flushing mechanism. 

So, how do you fix a broken tank lid? The process is similar to fixing a crack in the bowl — epoxy glue made for ceramic often will do the trick. Most toilets are made of porcelain, although some are crafted from ceramic. Ceramic glue tends to work on both types of clay, and you can buy a Loctite-brand product for just under $8 at Home Depot.

To fix the broken tank lid pieces, lay them on a flat surface (like a countertop) over a towel to prevent further chipping. Apply the glue to the edges of the sections and hold them in place. It usually takes at least a few minutes to bond — most adhesives will give an estimated drying time, so check the label to see what your product suggests. After everything cures, you may need to carefully file down any rough, sharp edges along the crack line.

As your toilet ages, fractures will become more common. Its material — whether porcelain or ceramic — is fragile and can be damaged after just one drop, even if it's newer. Sometimes, cracks are so severe that you simply can't glue the tank lid back together.

If the break is beyond repair, can you replace the toilet tank lid? Are they interchangeable? Unfortunately, they're not. The shape and size of the toilet tank requires a specific shape of cover. Some lids might fit multiple toilets, but no lid is universal. It can also be difficult to find a replacement cover that matches the color of your toilet. White latrines are common, but you also may see off-white and other shades.

If you want to order a replacement, you might be able to get one online from the original manufacturer, from a plumbing supply store, or from a big box hardware store. Start by finding the manufacturer name and model number for your toilet — possibly inside the tank, either printed or molded into the material. Then find the lid part number, which some manufacturer's imprint on the inside of the lid. If you can't order a replacement, consider visiting an architectural salvage yard to look for a matching used option.