I tried patching a bathroom sink crack with one of those kits last year—looked okay for a while, then it started peeling and now it’s just... sad.
That’s the story of half the “quick fixes” I see. Once had a guy use duct tape and caulk on a leaky pipe—held for a week, then turned into a mini fountain. Sometimes the wallet wins, but then you’re paying twice. If you’re worried about a kitchen surprise, pro’s probably the safer bet.
Once had a guy use duct tape and caulk on a leaky pipe—held for a week, then turned into a mini fountain.
That sounds about right. I actually tried one of those porcelain repair kits on a hairline crack in my laundry sink a couple years back. Looked decent for a few months, but it eventually started discoloring and flaking off. Ended up replacing the whole thing anyway, which cost more in the long run since I’d already spent on the kit and wasted time patching it up.
Honestly, most of those kits are just band-aids unless you’re dealing with a tiny chip or purely cosmetic damage. Structural cracks, especially near drains or faucets, tend to get worse. If it’s a main bathroom or kitchen sink that gets daily use, I’d lean towards getting it fixed properly the first time. Might sting the wallet at first, but you avoid the hassle and the mess when the “quick fix” fails. Sometimes DIY is great for small stuff, but there’s a limit to what those kits can handle.
Not gonna lie, I’ve seen some of those repair kits hold up surprisingly well—at least for a while. Had a client with a cracked utility sink, and the patch job lasted almost two years before it started looking rough. Granted, it wasn’t the prettiest fix, but it did the trick until they were ready to remodel. I get the urge to just replace the whole thing, but sometimes a temporary fix buys you time (and saves your sanity) if you’re not ready for a full-blown project. Guess it depends how much you can live with “good enough” for a bit.
I get where you’re coming from, but I’ve seen those “good enough” fixes turn into bigger headaches down the road. Like, sure, a patch can hold for a while, but if water starts seeping through again, you could end up with mold or even damage to the cabinet underneath.
“sometimes a temporary fix buys you time (and saves your sanity) if you’re not ready for a full-blown project.”
True, but sometimes that “bought time” comes with hidden costs. Personally, I’d rather bite the bullet and do it right the first time—even if it means living with an ugly sink for a bit longer until I can replace it properly. Just my two cents.
Honestly, I get the urge to just patch it and move on—sometimes you just want the thing to stop leaking so you can get back to your life. But I’ve been burned by “quick fixes” before, especially with plumbing. One time, I used a DIY epoxy kit on a hairline crack in my bathroom sink. Looked fine for a couple months, but then the crack spread and water started pooling underneath. Ended up having to rip out part of the vanity because of water damage... not fun.
If you’re leaning toward a temporary fix, here’s what I’d suggest to minimize risk:
1. **Clean and dry the area really well**—any moisture or grime will mess with adhesion.
2. **Use a high-quality repair kit** (the ones specifically for porcelain or ceramic sinks, not just generic epoxy).
3. **Follow the instructions exactly**—don’t rush the curing time, even if it looks dry.
4. **Keep an eye on it**—check under the sink every few days for any signs of leaks or dampness.
But honestly? If you can live with an ugly sink for a bit, waiting until you can do a full replacement is usually less stressful in the long run. Water damage sneaks up on you fast and gets expensive quick.
I’m always curious if anyone’s had long-term luck with those repair kits though. Maybe there’s some magic product out there I haven’t tried yet... but from what I’ve seen, they’re more of a band-aid than a cure.
If you do go for the pro fix or replacement, take pics and measurements before you start tearing things out—it makes shopping for a new sink way easier. And label your plumbing connections (masking tape works) so reassembly isn’t a nightmare.
Just my two cents from someone who’s spent too many weekends under sinks.
