Leaky Overflow Pipe

voyto · 9 Dec 2012

Please excuse my ignorance...I don't know an awful lot about plumbing and therefore not familiar with the correct names for everything.

Basically, I have a leaking overflow pipe (small white pipe sticking out of the external brickwork at approx. first floor joist level). It's leaking at a constant dripping flow (every second pretty much)

The offending pipe:

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voyto
9 Dec 2012
1

I originally thought it may be the upstairs toilet, which is located right next to the external pipe. The pipe pictured below does actually leak about 1 drip every 30mins, which in turn is causing the carpet to get damp over time. But...the overflow in the cistern isn't actually taking any water in when i watch it, certainly not at the rate it's leaking from the external pipe.

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voyto
9 Dec 2012
1

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voyto
9 Dec 2012
1

Here's the boiler...could there be a pressure setting wrong maybe?? (I've seen this suggested on other posts? - No idea how to adjust if so)

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voyto
9 Dec 2012
1

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voyto
9 Dec 2012
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voyto
9 Dec 2012
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voyto
9 Dec 2012
1

Finally, I think i've ruled out an overflowing tank in the roof....doesn't seem to reach the overflow pipe? Leak was flowing consistently at the time of the picture.

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voyto
9 Dec 2012
1

ANY help whatsoever would be massively appreciated. I'm hoping this is something I'm able to fix myself - I'm pretty handy if shown what needs doing.

Many thanks

Gasguru · 9 Dec 2012

That water level in the toilet cistern looks very close to the overflow, are you sure it's not that one? Try adjusting the arm down a little with the screw (it may need a new washer inthe valve). Post a picture of the small cistern in the roof...it feeds the heating system.

voyto · 9 Dec 2012

yes, the toilet is right on the limit, but definitely no water going into the white pipe from the top.

Where will I find the cistern in the roof?

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voyto
9 Dec 2012
1

Armo74 · 9 Dec 2012

Slowly fill the toilet cistern with a jug until you know that you will have a fair flow of water out the overflow whilst someone is stood outside to watch the overflow pipe.

Gasguru · 9 Dec 2012

There should be a small rectangular cistern in the roof or maybe it's in the cupboard above the cylinder. Follow the pipework from the pump upwards and see where it goes.

loafer · 9 Dec 2012

depress the float valves in sequence on the wc cistern...the cold water storage tank that feeds the hot water cylinderand and the feed/expansion tank if you have one. Have a mate tell you when the water comes out in order to identify which storage vessels overflow is at fault. Follow advice or once identified, put a new post on the forum seeking definate advice on how to rectify. Re the drip on the floor adjacent to the WC. Check that the cistern overflow connector is at fault first, Wrap a small piece of loo roll around the plastic threaded nut underneath the cistern. If it gets wet then you need to adjust or replace the overflow... If this is OK then it's likely to be the overflow elbow... sick to death of finding that sum eedjut hasn't had the sense to apply solvent weld to overflow/warning pipes from loos n tanks.. good luck!

Hugh Jaleak · 9 Dec 2012

No pressure settings on your boiler, it's an 'open vented' system, using a small cistern for feed and expansion, and so works at atmospheric pressure. My money is on the WC being your problem, the overflow(s) for the storage cistern(s) in the loft should exit at roof level (ish).

It might be prudent to change the entire overflow for the WC, if the water isnt reaching the top of the pipe it may be split lower down, allowing the water to escape. and the joint is leaking anyway. An overflow should be 'dry' unless a fault condition exists, when it does its job and drains the excess water away.

voyto · 11 Dec 2012

Thanks for all the replies so far!

My thinking with the toilet is, if there were a split or leak on the overflow pipe, It'd either:

1. See bubbles maybe?
2. See the fillup dripping water back into the cistern at the same rate as the leak outside?

The water level isn't moving in the cistern.

Hugh Jaleak · 11 Dec 2012

Press down on the ballvalve in the WC, and make it overflow, whilst someone watches the overflow pipe in question. This will determine (hopefully!) that it is either the WC at fault or not. Unlikely you'll see bubbles but I would expect the ballvalve to be topping up the water lost through the overflow.

WickedWizard · 15 Dec 2012

It does look like its the ball valve in the toilet cistern.

Flush the toilet & hold the ball valve up to stop it filling, you will more than likely see it dripping.

To remedy fit a new diaphragm & nylon seat to the ball valve or buy a new valve.

voyto · 12 Jan 2013

I've tried flushing the toilet and holding the ball up to stop the toilet refilling...

This has highlighted a leak from what look like that blue thing? The piston/siphon??

Over time, even with the ball held up to block the filler valve, the cistern is refilling itself.

Assuming I need to replace that blue thing... What should I be asking for at the plumbing shop?

Thanks again for all your help so far!!

WickedWizard · 12 Jan 2013

Either a side entry or a bottom entry ball valve
You can see what each one looks like here

joe-90 · 12 Jan 2013

There are two different lengths so best bet is to take the part with you.

CBF · 12 Jan 2013

needs a new washer in the wc ballvalve, the pin is too far in, if it's on the main the pressure increases at nite so it will make it worse

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Leaky Overflow Pipe

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