Why is water constantly dripping from my overflow pipe?

The most likely cause is a faulty ball valve or float inside the water tank or cistern connected to that overflow. When the valve fails to shut off the water supply as the tank fills, excess water escapes through the overflow pipe. A plumber can replace the valve or float to stop the dripping.

Is an overflowing pipe an emergency?

A slow drip from an overflow is not usually an immediate emergency, but it should be addressed within a few days to prevent water waste and damp damage. If the overflow is running heavily or continuously, it may indicate a more serious fault and should be looked at as soon as possible.

Overflow Pipe Repair in Birmingham

Water dripping or streaming from an overflow pipe on the outside of your house is a clear sign that something inside is not working correctly. Whether it is a faulty ball valve in your loft tank, a failing toilet cistern, or a pressure issue in your heating system, OnCall Home Repairs connects you with vetted Birmingham plumbers who can diagnose and fix the cause quickly — before damp and water damage set in.

Get a Free Quote 0333 240 8428

What Causes an Overflow and Why You Should Act Fast

An overflow pipe is a safety outlet that allows excess water to escape rather than flood your property. If water is running from it continuously or frequently, it means a valve or float mechanism inside your home has failed. The most common causes are a stuck ball valve in the cold water tank, a faulty fill valve in the toilet cistern, or an expansion issue in your boiler and heating system.

Left unattended, a running overflow wastes water, increases your bills, and can cause damp patches on exterior walls that lead to mould growth and masonry damage. In winter, the constant trickle of water from an overflow can freeze on the wall surface and cause further problems.

Our plumbers will trace the overflow back to its source, identify the faulty component, and carry out the repair or replacement. If the issue relates to your toilet cistern, loft tank, or central heating system, they have the experience to deal with all three.

How Overflow Repair Works

Identify the Source

Your plumber will determine which overflow pipe is running and trace it back to the tank, cistern, or system it serves. This is the critical first step, as different overflows have different causes.

Diagnose the Fault

Common faults include a stuck or worn ball valve, a cracked float, a failed fill valve in a toilet cistern, or excessive pressure in a sealed heating system. The plumber will inspect the mechanism and explain the problem clearly.

Repair and Test

The faulty component is repaired or replaced. Ball valves and floats are replaced with new parts, fill valves are swapped out, or pressure relief valves are adjusted. The system is tested to confirm the overflow has stopped completely before the plumber leaves.

Related Services

Toilet Repair Boiler Repair Leak Detection and Repair

Overflow Repair Across Birmingham

Our plumbers carry out overflow repairs across Birmingham, Edgbaston, Moseley, Kings Heath, Sutton Coldfield, and the wider West Midlands area. Overflow problems are common in properties with loft-based cold water tanks, which are still found in many older homes throughout the region.

BirminghamEdgbastonMoseleyKings HeathHarborneSelly OakErdingtonSutton ColdfieldSolihullHall GreenHandsworthAstonPerry BarrSmall HeathAcocks GreenBordesley Green

Frequently Asked Questions

Overflow Running? Get It Sorted.

Stop wasting water and prevent damp damage to your Birmingham home. Call OnCall Home Repairs and we will connect you with a vetted plumber who can trace and fix the cause of your overflowing pipe.

Call 0333 240 8428 Request a Callback