Overflow pipe repair in Exeter
Professional overflow pipe repair services in Exeter and surrounding areas. Local, reliable handyman - no job too small.
Price Guide
£60-£110
Typical Duration
0.5-1.5 hrs
Location
Exeter, Devon
Overflow pipe dripping outside? That's water (and money) running away constantly. I'll find which tank is overfilling and fix it - usually a simple ball valve job.
That Constant Drip is Costing You
See water dripping from that pipe sticking out of your wall? That's your overflow doing its job - stopping a tank from flooding your house. But it shouldn't run all the time.
Most overflow drips are caused by failed ball valves. The valve doesn't shut off properly, water keeps flowing into the tank, and the excess has to go somewhere. Simple fix if you know what you're doing.
💡 Pro tip: The overflow running constantly means water is flowing into a tank 24/7. On a meter? That's money literally dripping away. Get it fixed.
Where's It Overflowing From?
| Common Sources | How to Tell |
|---|---|
| Toilet cistern | Overflow stops quickly when mains turned off |
| Cold water tank (loft) | Keeps dripping for a while after mains off |
| Hot water cylinder | Usually has its own overflow, less common |
| Combination boiler | Not applicable - combis don't have tanks |
What You Get
🔧 The Fix Process
| Stage | What Happens |
|---|---|
| Identify | Work out which tank is overflowing |
| Access | Get to the tank (loft, airing cupboard, etc) |
| Repair | Replace ball valve or adjust float level |
📦 You're Left With
- Overflow pipe dry
- Ball valve working properly
- Water not being wasted
- Tank filling to correct level
Pricing Guide
| Job Type | Estimated Time | You'll Pay |
|---|---|---|
| Easy access toilet cistern | 30-45 mins | £60 |
| Standard loft tank valve | 1 hr | £60 |
| Awkward access or multiple tanks | 1.5-2 hrs | £85-£110 |
Based on £60 minimum (first hour) + £50/hr after. Standard ball valve included.
Perfect For Your Situation If...
✅ Constant drip - from a pipe sticking out of the wall
✅ On a water meter - wasting water = wasting money
✅ Selling your house - buyers' surveys always flag this
✅ Damp patch - forming on the wall below the overflow
Why Choose Us for Overflow pipe repair in Exeter?
No more water running constantly
Ball valve or cistern fixed properly
Stop wasting water (and money)
Quick diagnosis of the problem
What to Expect
Step 1: Find the Source
I work out which tank is overflowing by turning off the water and seeing what happens. Then trace it to the exact source.
Step 2: Access & Inspect
Get to the tank (up the loft, or open up the toilet cistern) and check the ball valve. Usually obvious what's failed.
Step 3: Replace & Test
Fit a new ball valve or adjust the existing one. Turn water back on and make sure it fills to the right level and shuts off cleanly.
🔧 DIY Tips
Fancy tackling it yourself? Here's what you need to know:
🔧 Tools you'll need
- Adjustable spanners (two)
- Screwdriver
- Torch (for loft work)
- Bowl (to catch water)
- Replacement ball valve
🚰 Replacing a ball valve
- Turn off water supply to that tank
- Flush toilet (or drain tank) to empty it
- Unscrew the old ball valve from the tank
- Fit new valve in same position
- Tighten carefully (don't overtighten and crack tank)
- Adjust float height so tank fills 2-3 inches below overflow
- Turn water back on and test
🔧 For toilet cisterns
- Turn off isolation valve (usually behind toilet)
- Flush to empty cistern
- Disconnect water supply pipe from ball valve
- Unscrew ball valve locknut inside cistern
- Remove old valve, fit new one
- Reconnect everything and test
⚠️ Common DIY mistakes
- Adjusting the float when the valve itself has failed (doesn't work)
- Overtightening and cracking the cistern or tank
- Wrong type of ball valve (Part 1, 2 or 3 - they're different)
- Not realising there are multiple tanks (fix one, another still overflows)
💡 Pro trick: If your ball valve is working but the water level is just too high, bend the float arm down slightly (old brass valves) or adjust the screw on the float (modern plastic valves). This makes it shut off earlier. But if the valve is genuinely failed, adjustment won't help - you need a new valve.
Rather leave it to a pro? No problem - that's what I'm here for. Give me a call.
Good to Know
💧 On a water meter? A constantly running overflow can waste hundreds of litres per day. Even at Exeter's water prices, that adds up over a year. Quick fix pays for itself.
Old cistern in the loft? If your cold water tank is ancient and the ball valve keeps failing, might be worth replacing the whole cistern while we're at it. Modern ones are better insulated and easier to work on. I can advise when I see it.
Multiple overflow pipes? Older houses sometimes have three or four overflow pipes poking out. If you're not sure which one is dripping or which tank it's from, I'll trace them all and get the right one sorted.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is my overflow pipe dripping outside?
Your overflow is doing its job - it's preventing a tank from flooding your house. But it shouldn't run constantly. Usually it's a failed ball valve in your cold water tank (loft) or toilet cistern. The valve doesn't close properly so water keeps flowing in and has to overflow out. Quick fix once I identify which tank is the culprit.
How do you work out which tank is overflowing?
I turn off your mains stopcock and watch which overflow stops dripping. If it stops immediately, it's fed directly from the mains (probably toilet). If it keeps running for a while then stops, it's from a storage tank in the loft. Then I trace the pipe to find the exact tank.
Is a dripping overflow urgent?
Not an emergency, but get it sorted soon. You're wasting water 24/7 which costs money, and constant moisture on your wall can cause damp problems over time. Also if the overflow itself gets blocked, the tank will flood - then you've got a real problem.
Do I need to buy parts before you come?
No need. I carry standard ball valves in the van. There are different types (Part 1, Part 2, Part 3) but I stock them all. If you've got an unusual setup I'll let you know and can pick the right part up.
Can you fix it if I don't have loft access?
If the tank's in your loft I'll need to get up there. I carry a ladder, but if you don't have a loft hatch or it's not safe to access, we'll need to sort that first. Most houses have perfectly fine loft access though - I'm up and down loft ladders all the time.
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