Stopping a constantly dripping overflow

Stopping a constantly dripping overflow

Ball valve

A constant drip, or a steady stream, of water from an overflow pipe indicates that there is a fault in the ball valve which regulates the water supply to the lavatory cistern or the cold-water storage tank.

If the water is dripping down a wall, it needs to be stopped fairly quickly, otherwise a damp patch is likely to appear on the inside of the house. This could damage the decoration or lead to serious structural problems.

If the ball valve has jammed open, the overflow pipe will not be able to cope with the volume of water, and eventually the tank will overflow.

To stop the overflow temporarily, you will need to cut off the water supply to the ball valve. There may be a servicing valve in the supply pipe near the ball-valve inlet. If there is, turn it off with a screwdriver or a coin.

Otherwise you will need to tie up the ball-valve float arm in either the lavatory cistern or the cold-water tank.

On a lavatory cistern, a wooden spoon should be about the right length to lay across the top to support the float arm. However, on a cold-water tank, which is larger, you will probably have to lay a timber batten across the tank.

Now investigate the cause of the trouble. The ball float may have sprung a leak, the valve washer may need replacing or there may be grit in the valve.

Fixing a leaky ball float

A leaking ball float will sink in the water and produce a steady stream from the overflow pipe.

YOU WILL NEED Plastic bag for a temporary repair, a sharp pocket knife or an old-fashioned tin-opener, string.

Unscrew the leaking float from the end of the float arm. With your knife or tin-opener, enlarge the leak or make a fresh hole. Empty out the water. Screw the float back onto the arm and slip the plastic bag over it, tying the mouth securely around the float arm. Restore the water supply.

Buy a new ball float from a DIY store as soon as possible and screw it onto the float arm.

Float arm

Water-inlet nozzle

PORTSMOUTH OR PISTON-PATTERN A piston with a washer at one end moves inside the valve to open or close the water inlet. The float arm pivots below the valve.

Water outlet

Water

DIAPHRAGM OR BRS PATTERN As the float arm rises the plunger pushes a large diaphragm against the water- inlet nozzle to close it and stop the water flow.

Plumbers in London

See video clips with our works here

Have a question ? Try our D.I.Y Forum

We operate in the following areas:

Central London (wc1, wc2, ec1, ec2, ec3, ec4): Barbican, Clerkenwell, Monument, Shoreditch, West End, Gray's Inn, Bloomsbury, Holborn, Soho, Moorgate, St Paul's Cray, Tower Hill, St. Paul's, Covent Garden, St Mary's Cray, Belgravia,

North London: (n1, n2, n3, n4, n5, n6, n7, n8, n9, n10, n11, n12, n13, n14, n15, n16, n17, n18, n19, n20, n21, n22)East Barnet, Archway, Finsbury, Alexandra Palace, Fortis Green, Barnet, Kentish Town, Canonbury, Crouch End, East Finchley, Enfield Park, Cockfosters, Enfield, Finsbury Park, Friern Barnet, Epping Forest, Hampstead Garden Suburb, Finchley Central, Islington, Barnsbury, Highbury, Highgate, Hornsey, Lower Edmonton, Tufnell Park, Manor House, New Southgate, Holloway, North Finchley, Hendon, Palmers Green, Pinner Green, Pinner, Ponders End, Muswell Hill, Potters Bar, Woodside Park, Seven Sisters, Winchmore Hill, Southgate, Totteridge, Upper Edmonton, Whetstone, Tottenham, Woodford Green, New Barnet, Stoke Newington

West London: (w1, w2, w3, w4, w5, w6, w7, w8, w9, w10, w11, w12, w13, w14)Isleworth, Acton, Eastcote, Bayswater, Charlton, Brook Green, Chiswick, Ealing, Uxbridge, Greenford, Hanger Lane, Hanwell, Hammersmith, Holland Park, Kensington, Elsham, Notting Hill, East Molesley, Ladbroke Grove, Marylebone, Mayfair, North Kensington, Warwick Avenue, Osterley, Paddington, Perivale, Shepherd's Bush, Strand,Addlestone, West Brompton, Kensal Green, Queens Park, West Ealing,

Northwest London :(nw1, nw2, nw3, nw4, nw5, nw6, nw7, nw8, nw9, nw10, nw11, nw12, nw13, nw14, nw15):Neasden, Plumbers Brent Cross, West Hampstead, Wembley, Camden Town, Northolt, Hampstead,Kilburn, Havering, Golders Green, Harrow, Temple Fortune, Cricklewood, Kingsbury, Plumbers St John's Wood, Greenhill, Harlesden, Colindale, Maida Vale, Mill Hill, Regent's Park, Hampstead Heath, Harrow on the hill, Willesden, Sudbury, Plumbers Swiss Cottage

______________________________________

_________________________

All photographs and video clips used, feature works by Robuild.co.uk Ltd. We do not use photographs supplied by third parties.
All video clips, photographs, drawings and text are Љ robuild.co.uk property and cannot be reproduced without written permission.

Office refurbishment London Builders London refurbishments Roofers London Kitchen Fitters Carpenters Electricians Plumbers Extensions Builders Loft Garage Conversions House Flat Refurbishments Bathroom fitters London Companies Architects Company in London House Extensions, Kitchen Extensions, Loft Conversions, Garage Conversions Kitchens, Bathrooms Fitters & Installers Roofers & Carpenters Electricians in London Plumbers in London Painters & Decorators Builders in London London Tradesmen