How to Fix a Bath Overflow Leaking

Overview

A bath overflow leaking can cause water damage. This guide covers fixing a leaking bath overflow.

Step-by-Step Fix

1. First and foremost, locate the mains stopcock for your home, usually under the kitchen sink, or the isolation valve for your bathroom, and turn off the water supply to prevent further leaks. Confirm the water is completely off by trying to run the bath taps; no water should come out.
2. Carefully inspect the overflow pipe connections behind the bath and from the overflow waste to the main drain for any visible looseness or signs of dripping. Gently hand-tighten any compression fittings or screw-on connections you can access to ensure they are snug, but avoid over-tightening as this could damage the pipes.
3. Using a screwdriver, carefully unfasten and remove the overflow plate cover and the retaining screw or nut. Extract the old rubber seal from behind the overflow plate or within the overflow opening, then clean the area thoroughly before inserting a new, correctly sized rubber seal.
4. Position the new rubber seal correctly and securely reattach the overflow plate cover, ensuring the retaining screw or nut is tightened enough to compress the seal without cracking the plastic. Once everything is secured, turn the water supply back on and fill the bath above the overflow level to check if the leak has stopped.
5. If the overflow is still leaking, or to be thorough, visually inspect all other accessible parts of the bath's plumbing system, including the main waste trap and the tap connections, for any signs of dampness or dripping water. Run the taps and check around the plughole and all pipework for any new leaks that might not have been apparent before.

Common Symptoms & Diagnostic Resolutions

Review the common error codes and operating symptoms below to quickly identify the root cause of the fault before ordering replacement parts.

Frequently Asked Questions