Dripping overflow in Forest of Dean? Here's what to do.
A dripping overflow pipe outside your house means a float valve has failed somewhere — usually the toilet cistern, sometimes the cold water tank in the loft.
Try this first
Safe steps you can take in the next 10 minutes — in order.
- 1Identify which overflow it is — match the position outside to the room inside (toilet, airing cupboard, loft).
- 2If the toilet, lift the cistern lid and check whether the water is rising above the overflow tube.
- 3Adjust the float arm down a fraction (older types) — a quick free fix in many cases.
- 4If the valve is clearly leaking past, replace it (£10 part, 30 minutes).
When to stop and call
If you can't access the source, or if a loft tank is overflowing and you can't shut off the supply.
Likely causes
Most cases of a dripping overflow pipe in Forest of Dean homes come down to one of these.
- Failed float valve in the toilet cistern (most common)
- Failed ballcock washer in a loft cold-water tank
- Float arm bent out of position
- Limescale on the valve seat
What it costs to fix in Forest of Dean
Quick fix
£75
Typical
£130
Worst case
£280
Most overflow fixes are a callout plus a £10–£40 part.
The service that fixes this
Fast-response emergency plumbing for burst pipes, major leaks, and no hot water — available when you need us most.
See emergency plumber in Forest of Dean →Quick questions
Can I fix a dripping overflow pipe in my Forest of Dean home myself?
Sometimes yes — the steps above cover the common DIY fixes. If you can't access the source, or if a loft tank is overflowing and you can't shut off the supply.
What does fixing a dripping overflow pipe typically cost in Forest of Dean?
Around £130 for the typical repair (range £75–£280). Most overflow fixes are a callout plus a £10–£40 part.
How quickly can someone come out in Forest of Dean?
For genuine emergencies in Forest of Dean we usually attend within 1–3 hours during weekdays. For non-urgent jobs we typically book within 2–5 working days.
Is this an emergency?
Usually no. A dripping overflow pipe can normally wait until the next working day, which keeps the cost down. Genuine emergencies are flooding, no water at all, or gas smells.
Related problems
Dripping overflow in nearby areas
Need someone out today?
We cover Forest of Dean and the wider Gloucestershire area for fast plumbing and bathroom repairs.
Call 07927 593 585Relevant projects from this area
Nothing AI-rendered, nothing stock — these are jobs we've delivered in and around Gloucestershire.
Fixed-price emergency plumber quote — Forest of Dean
Once the spec is agreed, the price is the price. We don't bill for "unforeseen extras" unless something genuinely unforeseen is uncovered, and we always ask first.
In short
Most Forest of Dean clients come to us after a quote elsewhere that felt thin on detail. Ours isn't — every line item is listed, every assumption is named, and we'd rather lose the job than over-promise.
Where we work
Emergency Plumber jobs in Forest of Dean are scheduled around the realities below — postcode coverage, nearest roads, councils involved, and the named places we travel to from there.
Gloucestershire County Council — covering GL postcode district.
We reach Forest of Dean via M5, A40, A417 — and serve sites within roughly 25 miles of here.
- Cinderford~4 mi
- Coleford~6 mi
- Lydney~8 mi
- Newent~10 mi
- Ross-on-Wye~12 mi
Quedgeley West Business Park · Kingsditch Trading Estate
Most of the county is reachable inside an hour from our Gloucester base via the M5 and A40.