Overflow Pipe??

Mullie

We have a water pipe coming out of the back wall of our two bed just to the side of the double doors. In the almost 4 years that we've been living there I haven't seen anything come out of the pipe. This summer its started to dribble water.
Does anyone know where this pipe leads from and what could be causing water to flow from it?

LEIN

Live in a two bed my self and there is no pipe outside.

Can you see it on the interior side of the wall?

loyatemu

might be the overflow from the boiler (though I thought these were in the front of the house in the 2 beds).

mikedragon32

If it's a house and the pipe is at the back, it's probably the overflow from the water tank in the attic. The ballcock may need adjusting.

Astrofluff who knows everything about this kind of stuff will be along shortly no doubt and will point you in the right direction.

Cheeky Chops

Ah, my favourite Charlesland issue - water problems!

In my cul de sac the overflow pipe is at the front of the house and EVERY house has had a problem at some stage. Mine was pouring out water (started as a dribble). Turned out the ballcock was rusty and had disintegrated basically. Mine was a bit dramatic because I had water coming through the ceiling into the lounge by the end. Was a right Titanic moment.

My neighbours had an issue with the level of the watertank. In technical terms it was "wonky".

No. I am not a plumber IRL.You can tell eh?

loobylou

Most likely the expansion tank for the central heating. Go up in the attic with a torch, look in the area nearest where the pipe is externally. You should see a small (tv size) plastic tank with an inflow pipe near the top, an outflow near the bottom, a ballcock system to regulate the level of water and the overflow pipe (which is the one dribbling outside your house) which is your "safety" valve, preventing flooding inside the house when one of the other bits is'nt operating properly.
As already posted it's most likely the ballcock, probably not floating loosely. Sometimes can be fixed by slightly bending the supporting arm, at worst can be replaced for (guess €10-12) at the likes of Chadwicks, Boghall Rd., Bray.
Incidentally, staff in plumbing section there very helpful, will give good information/advice without making you feel like an idiot.
PS I have no connection whatsoever to Chadwicks, merely a satisfied customer!

LEIN

Op said that the pipe is coming out the back of the house at the double doors.
If that is the case i would be surprised if its coming from any tanks in the attic as they drain just above the front bedroom window in all the two bed houses.
They drain from the back in the three beds alright but from the same height.

Op can you give more information on this issue please.

bido

Mullie wrote: »

We have a water pipe coming out of the back wall of our two bed just to the side of the double doors. In the almost 4 years that we've been living there I haven't seen anything come out of the pipe. This summer its started to dribble water.
Does anyone know where this pipe leads from and what could be causing water to flow from it?

If you look in the handy numbers and links thread at the beginning of this Greystones & Charlesland section. the Plumber from Greystones will supply the part and fix the problem for €80 :cool:,

Charlie-Bravo

Damo9090 wrote: »

Op can you give more information on this issue please.

As Damo said...and it's a perculiar one. Also, is it a 12mm copper pipe or a 18mm white or black plastic wavin pipe? are you in a two bed apartment or townhouse?

love plumbing I do

Cheeky Chops

Also, is it a 12mm copper pipe or a 18mm white or black plastic wavin pipe?

ahem, I was going to ask the same question.

* I can see me getting thrown off the board by Mike for being a fake plumbing expert*

Charlie-Bravo

Cheeky Chops wrote: »

I can see me getting thrown off the board by Mike for being a fake plumbing expert*

your post didn't start with "As a plumber in the industry..." so I think Mike can be leanient with you!

As for me....I'm not an expert on plumbing but would fairly undertand those mechanical installation to said dwelling units!

mikedragon32

I'll have to rewrite the charter to eliminate plumbers who know too much...

Mullie

astrofluff wrote: »

As Damo said...and it's a perculiar one. Also, is it a 12mm copper pipe or a 18mm white or black plastic wavin pipe? are you in a two bed apartment or townhouse?

love plumbing I do

Thanks for all the responses folks.

We're in a 2 bed townhouse. It approx 3 ft of flexible brown-ish pipe, that just hangs out of the wall onto the ground. Not sure on the diameter, but its the same piping I've seen used in a friends place to connect up a radiator in the attic.
We do also have the standard overflow that everyone else has up on the 2nd floor.

Charlie-Bravo

well, I am stumped.

the only thing I could think the pipe is for is a tap in the back garden!?

LEIN

astrofluff wrote: »

well, I am stumped.

the only thing I could think the pipe is for is a tap in the back garden!?

I second that. I would need see it to know what it is. Can you post an image?

Micky Dolenz

astrofluff wrote: »

As Damo said...and it's a perculiar one. Also, is it a 12mm copper pipe or a 18mm white or black plastic wavin pipe? are you in a two bed apartment or townhouse?

love plumbing I do

Surely you mean 15mm and 22mm pipe?

OP, is your boiler near this, may be the safety valve letting by.

Charlie-Bravo

Micky Dolenz wrote: »

Surely you mean 15mm and 22mm pipe?

Yes, thats what I mean - but that includes the thickness of the piping material...I prefer to know how much the pipe can hold...especially if it is drainage and what full bore discharges you can get with specifc hydraulic gradients!!!

Back to the OP...go up to the attic and see how many pipes are coming from the tank towards the back wall of th house. Also, there may be a gate valve somewhere in the Hot Press, or Kitchen that is turned off but is letting a little drip through after years of pressure on it.

danjo

Could it be an overflow from the cistern in the loo?

wicklowdub

It sounds like its your Gas boiler, as someone above said there is an overflow pipe on it, you will most likely need to contact bord gais to have it checked.

LEIN

danjo wrote: »

Could it be an overflow from the cistern in the loo?

Most modern toilets overflow straight into the toiled bowl so that's a non runner.

Charlie-Bravo

I'm still going to go with a garden tap. If I'm wrong I'll buy the OP a pint at The Tumbleweed.

Mullie

Heres a pic of the culprit! We're beside a 3 bed, my latest theory is that its the overflow from their heating as the vent pipe from their heating is almost directly above this pipe.
I've had to stick it in a bucket, theres a constant drip from it.

LEIN

Think you may be right. It looks like its right on the dividing wall. If its not that then i am at a total loss.

Charlie-Bravo

is it possible, and due to its location on the boundary, that a pipe is running behind the skirting in the kitchen?

This could join up with the underneath of the sink - Have you checked for more than one valve under the sink? There would be other valves for the washing machine - you are looking for a second brass fitting (not the main water stop cock)

jenzz

Hi all. Just reading this.. If its the overflow pipe leaking please check your ball cock. I have worked in a huge number of houses in Charlesland where the ball cock pin has actually snapped ( faulty batch supposidly). Will cause full flood inside, huge damage etc so act now & just check it.

MiniGolf

It is probably the pipe from the safety valve on the boiler!
Possible problems with this are:
1. It should be copper and should be turned downwards to prevent scalding in the event of a high pressure/temperature blow off from the boiler.... Very rare by the way so don't panic;)
2. It could indicate a possible problem with the expansion vessel in the boiler
3. It may only be that the fill valve (usually in the hotpress!) has been left open so over-pressurising the heating system.

If the heating is not on - Cold - (or hot water from the boiler) the pressure in the system - on guage on boiler - should be between 0.5 and 1 bar

If, when the boiler is running the pressure builds to 3 bar or over it would usually indicate that the expansion vessel has failed or needs re-pressurising.
Please note: It is ILLEGAL for anyone who is NOT a Registered Gas Installer to work on a gas appliance since 26th June 2009!! See http://www.rgii.ie/ for a list of approved contractors.
Hope this helps:D

loobylou

Clamp it closed and wait and see what happens...

MiniGolf

loobylou wrote: »

Clamp it closed and wait and see what happens...

Under NO Circumstances clamp this pipe as if it turns out to be from the boiler safety valve it could lead to an explosion!:eek:

RosieJoe

MiniGolf wrote: »

Under NO Circumstances clamp this pipe as if it turns out to be from the boiler safety valve it could lead to an explosion!:eek:

Presume this was tongue in cheek

MiniGolf

RosieJoe wrote: »

Presume this was tongue in cheek

NO!!!
I am a RGI and this is a serious issue!
I feel so strongly about this that I am willing to call to that house to check it out for free!!!:eek:
I live nearby - Kilpedder - and will be around all day today - If the OP, Mullie I think, PM's me I will give them my number!

Micky Dolenz

MiniGolf wrote: »

NO!!!
I am a RGI and this is a serious issue!
I feel so strongly about this that I am willing to call to that house to check it out for free!!!:eek:
I live nearby - Kilpedder - and will be around all day today - If the OP, Mullie I think, PM's me I will give them my number!

Stalker alert :eek:

MiniGolf

Micky Dolenz wrote: »

Stalker alert :eek:

Not a very helpful post from a moderator!

LEIN

Lets keep on topic lads.

Micky Dolenz

MiniGolf wrote: »

Not a very helpful post from a moderator!

Ah lighten up , I was only joking.

As I said in an earlier post, it is likely to be a safety valve. An explosion is unlikely even if PRV was obstructed, most likely automatic air vent would pop, fittings began to leak, coil in cylinder might even split. Obstructing the PRV is very unwise in any event.

OP, a couple of questions if I may.

What type of boiler have you (make and model)?

Is there a gauge on it, if so what does it read?

Have you a small and big tank in attic?

Is water still coming out of pipe?

does your heating still work?

Charlie-Bravo

Micky, the Op won't be able to check that cause the heating system in question in the neighbour's property!

Mullie, look over the fence and have a gander - is there any other pipes? Hopefully you see a pipe at a simliar height to your own boiler drain-off pipe(have a look at the pipe at the front of your own house about 1.2m fromthe ground). If you can see this other pipe then your pipe on our side should be for something else!

Micky Dolenz

astrofluff wrote: »

Micky, the Op won't be able to check that cause the heating system in question in the neighbour's property!

Mullie, look over the fence and have a gander - is there any other pipes? Hopefully you see a pipe at a simliar height to your own boiler drain-off pipe(have a look at the pipe at the front of your own house about 1.2m fromthe ground). If you can see this other pipe then your pipe on our side should be for something else!

Oh right, must have missed that part.

I'd be asking the neighbour to get it sorted quick smart then.


Hang on, this isn't Home and Garden, the house is in Wicklow, :pac: Thats gas.

loobylou

Bump anyone know what it is yet??

LEIN

I think you need a plumber to have a look at it for you as its very hard to make out what it might be from your comments and photo.

Mullie

Thanks to MiniGolf who was kind enough to drop out and check out the mystery pipe.
It turns out it is the neighbours heating overflow pipe. Lazy builders used the wrong type of pipe and popped it into the wrong garden!! The neighbours have since got the pressure checked out on their system, which was way high and my bucket emptying days are over for the time being.
Thanks all for the help.

Charlie-Bravo

astrofluff wrote: »

I'm still going to go with a garden tap. If I'm wrong I'll buy the OP a pint at The Tumbleweed.

Damn!

loobylou

loobylou wrote: »

Most likely the expansion tank for the central heating.

What's my prize?:D:D:D

Micky Dolenz

loobylou wrote: »

What's my prize?:D:D:D

Fail, it was actually the pressure relief/safety valve that was leaking. Now check over the posts and see who was the first to suggest it.

Millerick

We have just had a flood in a two bed apartment. We have a 'combi' system, uppper tank is cold water tank, lower tanx is emersion with coil from gas fired heating system running through. The cold water tank overflowed - ball cock may have jammed - this would not have been a problem if the overflow pipe had functioned correctly. In these appartments the overflow pipe from the top of the cold water tank runs down the side of the tank to under the floor, across the small hallway and re-emerges piped into the bath overflow pipe (approx. 8 inches off the ground). I am wondering if you who have had problems with failing overflow pipes have found out what the building standard is? Should an overflow pipe flow DOWN into the waste pipe because clearly in this case the water was expected to flow up hill and didn't have sufficient head to do this. It would have needed to be operating as a siphon anyway to get it UP and out into the bath overflow. I suspect that all 100 plus apartments in this complex are plumbed the same and are a disaster waiting to happen - just like ours!!

dublingirl

Just to allay any fears for those of us in a 2 bed apartment. I too live in a 2 bed and believe my overflow pipe is connected correctly. I have had to have the ball cock replaced twice due to damage by dirt catching under it but both times I was alerted because water came out of the overflow of the bath and down the bath plug hole - correctly.

Millerick

Thanks Dublingirl! It looks like the way the overflow pipe is plumbed into the bath overflow is correct and it should have worked - as it did for you. Maybe in our case it blocked. What a disaster! Thanks anyway but it is probably worth others knowing that it can block because of set up.

audreyp

Would anyone know the cost of replacing the valve in the water tank? (Think that is what it is called) The overflow pipe is leaking water. A family member came over to check it and put in a temporary fix and said if it happened again its likely we would need to replace the valve.

Thanks in advance for any help!

loobylou

Replaced a stopcock a year or two ago, can't remember the exact price but cheap enough, maybe €10-€15. Bought it in Chadwicks, Bray.

Decks79

Just pm'ed you dublingirl