Quizzes & Puzzles0 min ago
Hot Water Tank Overflow Has Water Coming Out
12 Answers
I have an immersion heater that I kept on all the time. The last time I ran a bath a few days ago the bathroom seemed to fill up with steam - I didn't think anything of it other than maybe it was because I hadn't run much hot water off. The other morning when I came home from work there was water gushing out of the overflow pipe into the garden. Spoke to a colleague who said it was either the hot water overheating or the ballcock sticking or needed replacement. I have been running the hot tap just a little to stop it overflowing (been at work most of the time since then) but when I turn the tap off it overflows again after a short while. As I turned the immersion off as soon as this happened I presume it isn't down to it overheating and must be the ballcock. Is it a big job - I have never been in the loft and don't think I could reach to get up there anyway! Any ideas?
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The first thing I would go for is the thermostat in the immersion cylinder, Lanky.
It does sound as though the immersion is overheating and sending hot water and steam up the expansion pipe and into the roof tank. As the roof tank overfills, the excess shoots out of the overflow and into the garden.
Very quick and simple DIY job. Just make sure you get the right length thermostat. Best way is to remove the old one first and measure it.
It does sound as though the immersion is overheating and sending hot water and steam up the expansion pipe and into the roof tank. As the roof tank overfills, the excess shoots out of the overflow and into the garden.
Very quick and simple DIY job. Just make sure you get the right length thermostat. Best way is to remove the old one first and measure it.
It sounds more like the valve assembly. If you can get up there start by pushing the ball down into the water to make run in at full rate - it will run out of the overflow. With any luck, if there is something stopping the valve closing properly that might clear it.
If that fails try adjusting the float - it's usually just a nut adjustment on the end.
If that doesn't work you may need to replace the valve assembly. As I said in my first post it's not an expensive part and shouldn't take a long time.
If you have hard water and no water softener it could be that the sealing washer in the valve has got limescale on it which could stop it making a good seal.
If that fails try adjusting the float - it's usually just a nut adjustment on the end.
If that doesn't work you may need to replace the valve assembly. As I said in my first post it's not an expensive part and shouldn't take a long time.
If you have hard water and no water softener it could be that the sealing washer in the valve has got limescale on it which could stop it making a good seal.
"don't think I could reach to get up there"
That's what loft ladders are for ;-)
If the loft is floorboarded at least you don't have to step from rafter to rafter.
It should be easy to bend the bar with the ball on so it stops filling before the wtaer level reaches the overflow. Shouldn't be that expensive to get it fixed properly if you get some in to do it, either.
That's what loft ladders are for ;-)
If the loft is floorboarded at least you don't have to step from rafter to rafter.
It should be easy to bend the bar with the ball on so it stops filling before the wtaer level reaches the overflow. Shouldn't be that expensive to get it fixed properly if you get some in to do it, either.
I'll be interested to see how you get on, Lanky. Perhaps the excess hot water and steam may just be a coincidence.
If it's the float valve, you just want one of these.........
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It may simply be that the water level in the tank is set too high. Before replacing the valve, just bend the arm down a bit, drain off some ater, and see what the level is. Aim for around 2" below the overflow outlet.
If it's the float valve, you just want one of these.........
http://
It may simply be that the water level in the tank is set too high. Before replacing the valve, just bend the arm down a bit, drain off some ater, and see what the level is. Aim for around 2" below the overflow outlet.
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