Dripping/running overflow?

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Your trusted, local same-day plumbers

Some of our recent work....

Running eves warning pipe.

Source identified (failed copper cylinder coil) and replaced.

Caversham customer – Home owner Jane.

Over the past month Jane had noticed a steady (hot) water drip from his home’s under eaves overflow / warning pipe.

On investigation the source of the leak was identified as the copper cylinder and a failed heating coil. The cylinder was replaced and drip stopped.

Running warning pipe.

Source identified (float valve failure) and fixed.

Henley customer – Home owner Florien.

Florien had received a letter from Thames Water informing him that his home had a water leak. This was ignored until the following water bill arrived and instead of the regular monthly £79 normally paid the bill was over £400pm.

On investigating, it was clear that the home’s warning pipe was running with cold water. And on going into the loft and examining the cold water tank, the orange float valve could be seen at the bottom of the tank. The float valve was subsequently replaced stopping the drip and Thames Water informed that the leak had been dealt with.

The quickest way to get in touch to discuss your homes dripping or running overflow pipe is to WhatsApp, text or phone us on 07442966664.

You can also email plumbing@angusplumbing.co.uk or use the form – and well get back to you as soon as we can.

The AngusPLUMBING team

Dripping or running overflow pipe?

A dripping or running overflow pipe is a “warning” that a safety mechanism in your plumbing or heating system has been triggered.

The pipe itself is doing its job by diverting excess water outside to prevent a flood inside your home, the underlying issue though needs immediate attention.

Although diagnosing leaky pipes can be tricky, if you’re not sure where your leak’s coming from, it’s best to check before you try to make any fixes or get in touch with a plumber. The following signs will help to identify the leak’s source:

Loft level

If the leak’s (cold/cool water) coming from a pipe sticking out from the roof, the likely source is the cold-water tank or central heating feed and expansion tank. If the leaking water’s hot there may be a problem with your copper cylinder or boiler.
Ground/first floor

With leaks at ground or first-floor level pipes, then it’s likely to be your bathroom overflow pipe dripping water from the toilet cistern.

Common causes

The most common cause of a dripping overflow pipe is usually a faulty float valve (or ball valve) within a tank or cistern.

Stuck or misaligned float valve: The float (the plastic ball on an arm) gets stuck or is set too high, so it doesn’t shut off the water feed properly.
Worn out washer: The internal rubber washer in the float valve perishes over time, preventing a proper seal and allowing water to continuously trickle through.
Punctured float ball: If the plastic ball has a hole and fills with water, it won’t float correctly to stop the water flow.

It may also be the result of:

High water pressure: The incoming mains water pressure is too high for the system to manage, forcing water past the valve.
Faulty hot water cylinder (copper cylinder): A potential issue with the internal coil can cause water levels to rise in the central heating tank, leading to an overflow. A dripping pipe may also indicate that the thermostat is set too high, causing water to expand beyond the tank’s capacity.
Boiler over-pressurisation: Check the boiler’s pressure gauge (ideally 1–1.5 bar when cold). If it’s above 2.5 bar, the overflow is releasing excess pressure to prevent system failure.

Why it needs prompt reair

Ignoring a dripping overflow pipe may lead to:

Wasted water and higher bills: Even a small drip can waste thousands of litres of water a year, significantly increasing your utility costs.
Water damage: Continuous dripping can cause damp patches, mould growth, and eventually lead to damage to your home’s walls, foundations, and brickwork.
System failure: The leak indicates a fault within a vital system, which if left unresolved, may lead to more serious and expensive component failures, such as a damaged boiler.

DIY fixes?

Due to the potential seriousness of a leaking overflow pipe, we always recommend that you get in touch with a Thames Water recommended WaterSafe approved plumber.

Other plumbing services....

Our local plumbers provide a range of expert plumbing services that’ll keep you and your family safe, save you money and your home running smoothly and as it should including:

Improving water pressure and flow (to see our work click here).
Leak detection (to see our work click here).

Water and waste pipe repair & maintenance (to see our work click here).

Unblocking waste systems (to see our work click here).

Dripping/running overflow pipe investigation (to see our work click here).
Turning off/isolating your homes water supply (to see our work click here).
Repairing and maintaining your home’s water tanks (to see our work click here).