overflow pipe dripping.

[shihtzublue]

I have an overflow pipe just UNDER my bedroom window. My bathroom is upstairs but is not on an outside wall.

I have checked the toilet system but all seems ok there.

Where else could it be coming from and do you think I need to consult a plumber.

[Zacs-Master]

Central heating header tank. Get it sorted quick in these freezing temps.

[buildersmate]

When you say under the bedroom window, is it in line with the floor level of the bedroom (since the pipe must be running through the floor joists - it can't be in the middle of a wall?)
Have you got a pressurised CH system - perhaps a Combi? - it could be the overflow from the pressure relief valve.

[Zacs-Master]

Or that^^^^^

[shihtzublue]

Yes! It would be at floor level. There are two pipes coming out of the wall. Everytime I go out there to see where it is coming from, it has stopped.

I don't have a combi boiler.

[buildersmate]

So what do you have on the first floor that could conceivably have an overflow - in the way of loos, sinks or baths?

It is not impossible that a sink or bath overflow has been connected to an outside overflow pipes (though they normally go back down the soil pipe system) - but obviously an overflow from a sink or bath is rather easy to spot (coz the sink is full of water).

CH header tanks that are in the loftspace normally have there overflow at first floor ceiling height.

Your going to have to tell us what you've got.

[alavahalf]

Overflow pipes dont always exit the house at the nearest point... I got called to an overflow problem only a couple of weeks ago.
Very similar to what you describe .. "water dripping from pipe near ground floor window at rear of house" was the job description.

I checked all the usual places... the cisterns upstairs and downstairs. In the loft, both water tanks were fine.
Baffled I asked the owner if she had any other water storage tanks. ''Only the tank in the airing cupboard'' she said.''But that is in the front of house''...

When I checked... the storage tank was in a cupboard against the front wall of the house... (it was a combination tank,the top part of the tank is the storage tank used to feed the hot water tank)
Sure enough the ball valve was dripping.

Some bright spark had decided to route the overflow all the way through wardrobes and under floor boards and out to the back of the house instead of going through the wall beside the tank.

Maybe you have a similar problem..?

[marden40]

this could be from the header tank above the hot water cylinder in an airing cupboard or the header tank could be in the loft......if you turn on your hot water tap and the dripping stops...this could be your problem and the ball valve in the tank is faulty as "alavahalf" has said.

[shihtzublue]

Alavahalf. That is exactly what my property is like. The storage tank is in the front bedroom in a cupboard so I guess that is what the problem is.
Many thanks.

[shihtzublue]

Can I ask what sort of cost is involved. I was married to a Plumber so I not it is not always cheap.

[alavahalf]

The ball valve costs about £6.00 ... and the labour .... whatever anyone wants to charge for 15 minutes work.......... I'd charge £24 inc.
Look for a handyman rather than a plumber.I did one few months ago where someone was quoted £490....
Ask for a quote first, it should be around the £40---50 mark.

[shihtzublue]

Thanks! You don't happen to live in Hampshire by any chance. Just kidding.

[alavahalf]

Sorry I've got a BN post code....and don't work beyond Bognor... good luck..!