What to do if you have a leaking overflow pipe
22/08/20
If water is leaking out of an overflow pipe, aside from the noise inconvenience, you’re going to be paying extra for water that is being wasted. In the worst-case scenario, overflowing water can cause damage that will be costly to repair.
All of these common components in your home have an overflow pipe:
- Toilet cistern
- Cold water feed and expansion tank
- Central heating feed and expansion tank
- Copper cylinder
- Combination boiler
- Sinks, basins and baths
How to identify which water tank or cistern is overflowing
Near bathroom or toilet
If the leaking pipe is at the ground or first-floor level, then it’s likely to be your bathroom overflow pipe dripping, which will be coming from the toilet cistern. It will be made of either plastic, copper or lead and will usually lead out through the wall directly behind the toilet.
Locate the valve that controls how much water flows into the toilet and close it slightly. This is the simplest method for fixing the overflow pipe when that is the sole issue.
If your toilet overflow pipe is still dripping, you may need to replace the washer on the float valve. First, you’ll need to stop the flow of new water into the tank and drain it so you can work. Then take the float apart and remove the washer.
If the float valve is no longer fulfilling its function, water will continue to run. If it is damaged or has a hole in it it will require a replacement. Make sure you shut off the water supply before doing any of this. Your hardware store will be able to advise you on the right replacement.
Boiler overflow pipe
Combination boilers have a pipe that’s similar to an overflow pipe, called a pressure relief valve. If the system builds up too much pressure, it will release water. The pipe is copper and runs from the boiler to the outside of your house.
Do not confuse the pressure release valve with the condense pipe, which is plastic.
For safety reasons, it’s best to call out a PlusHeat Gas Safe engineer to investigate and fix this issue for you.
Pipe from eaves
The central heating feed and expansion tank overflow pipe runs from the water tank in your loft to the outside of your house. It’s likely that your water level in the tank is too high.
If it only happens when your radiators are hot, it’s likely that the water level in the central heating feed tank is too high when cold.
If it only happens when water hasn’t been used for a while, the ball valve may have a leak that isn’t noticeable when water is being used regularly.
Can you see water running or dripping from the water feed when you look inside the tank? If so, check that the float valve isn’t stuck or the position needs to be adjusted. Alternatively, it may be that the washer or whole float valve needs replacing.
Also Read –
- How Does a Thermostat Work?
- How to fit a new radiator?
- Cheap Boiler Cover
- Do I Need A Boiler Cover?
- Boiler service and cover
- Which One to Choose Boiler Cover or Home Emergency Cover?
To summarise; if an outside pipe is leaking, it could be caused by an overflowing toilet cistern, cold water or central heating feed and expansion tank. If your boiler overflow pipe is dripping, it could be due to a faulty combination boiler.
PlusHeat offers 24/7 advice and support with boiler and central heating, plumbing, electrical and drainage cover from just 25p a day. Contact our friendly team on 0808 164 2892. We’re here to help!
