Can I Fix a Crack in Porcelain With Epoxy?

Why Epoxy?

• Though epoxy spreads onto a surface in liquid form, it sets up hard inside of a porcelain crack, which gives it a similar texture to the surrounding porcelain surface. Epoxy also forms a waterproof surface once dry that can withstand consistent moisture or standing water, which makes it ideal for porcelain tiles in areas where moisture is common, like bathrooms, and also in sinks and bathtubs.

Fixing the Crack in Porcelain

• Epoxy requires both a base liquid and a hardener, which mixes with the base to create the epoxy filler. Once the base and filler are combined and have set for the time recommended by the manufacturer, you must continuously agitate the epoxy through stirring to prevent the epoxy from hardening in the container as you fill the crack. Use a putty knife to spread the epoxy over and into the crack in the porcelain to seal the crack.

Covering the Epoxy

• Once you fill the porcelain crack with epoxy, line both sides of the crack with masking tape to prevent scratches on the surrounding porcelain and then sand down the epoxy filling until it sits even with the rest of the tile, sink or tub. If the epoxy that you use to fill the crack doesn’t match the color of the porcelain, use touch-up paint on the filled crack to make it match.

Preventing Cracks

• Many cracks in porcelain result from accidents, such as the dropping of items onto the porcelain surface, though setting extremely heavy items on a porcelain surface may cause cracks in the porcelain over time as well. Always take extra care when installing fixtures and hardware, or when working with heavy tools, around porcelain.

Grout Cracks

• If the cracks in a porcelain tile floor appear in the grout around the porcelain tiles, and not in the tiles themselves, epoxy is not the ideal filler for the cracks. Instead, apply new grout between the tiles with a putty knife to fill in the cracks.