Overflow pipe in guttering downpipe...

kerri_gt

Hi, this might seem like a silly question but I have noticed that our guttering downpipe at the back of the house has a small piece of pipe (like an overflow) sticking out the side of it, prob about window height. When it rains, water from this pours directly onto the patio below. I am concerned that over time this could cause problems with damp or with water in the ground.

My question is, why has this pipe been installed, and does it indicate that the downpipe is blocked - or has it perhaps been to fill a waterbutt previously and if I blocked it, would the water be likely to drain down the downpipe as normal?

Help! I'm somewhat clueless on this and don't want to call someone out and be charged for something that is normal.

latecomer

Certainly isn't normal to have water pouring out. Personally I'd cap it off and then wait until after its rained and then tap the downpipe - if it sounds hollow then its empty and hence not blocked. In fact you could pop a hose in to this pipe and turn on the water - if it backs up and pours out then its blocked else you should be fine.

Vibrant

It certainly sounds like the pipe to a waterbutt. Usually they are a separate section inserted into the downpipe, although I have seen a few home made versions, that are just a pipe and hole.
They often look like this: http://www.greenfingers.com/superstore/product.asp?dept_id=200405&pf_id=LS4786D

If that is the case, just block the outlet, with whatever you can find, cork, etc. Note that waterbutt diverters can fill with crap over time, which wont affect the flow of water down the down pipe, but if you notice a smell, it could need cleaning out.

You are right to be worried about damp, if the water is splashing on the patio and making the wall wet. Over time it could cause problems.

amerste

You don't mention at what height this extension from your downpipe is, if it is at water but level it is probabaly a flexable pipe, just wrap a tie-wrap around it and point it upwards, end of problem. Better still connect a water butt and use it.

BritRael

kerri_gt wrote: »

...When it rains, water from this pours directly onto the patio below.....

Do not block it off. If you do, the water will back up and could then overflow somewhere else. If you can, find out where it is coming from and then make a decision.

maninthestreet

BritRael wrote: »

Do not block it off. If you do, the water will back up and could then overflow somewhere else. If you can, find out where it is coming from and then make a decision.

No, it will just flow down the downpipe and into the drains, where it's supposed to go.

kerri_gt

amerste wrote: »

You don't mention at what height this extension from your downpipe is, if it is at water but level it is probabaly a flexable pipe, just wrap a tie-wrap around it and point it upwards, end of problem. Better still connect a water butt and use it.

Sorry about my omission, it is a white ridged piece of pipe (haven't played with it but I think it is flexable in the fact it can be bent and angled). It looks to me that it would be at a water butt height (it's around mid window height, certainly not up the top of the house or anything).

I was thinking more about it last night, and there is a cut off piece of hose that goes from one side of a side pathway (near the bottom of this downpipe) under a the side path (which is concrete slabs) and pops up next to a wall. Planeted into this wall (like a huge raise bed) is a variety of plants. We didn't cut the hose and I have wondered what it is for in the past - now I am thinking that perhaps this is linked to the pipe coming off my downpipe and was part of an 'irrigation' set up by previous house owners. If it is, it's a shame the hose was cut as its a good use of the rainwater. Does my theory sound feasable?

I'll try blocking the pipe and check what happens when it next rains, if all is well with the downpipe (which is my main concern). I guess I really should look at a way to utilise this water butt pipe (if that's what it is) and make use of the rain water.

ManAtHome

More likely the pipe off the downpipe fed into a butt, then the hose was connected to tap at the bottom of the butt. Is the hose long enough to reach the bottom of where the butt should be?

kerri_gt

ManAtHome wrote: »

More likely the pipe off the downpipe fed into a butt, then the hose was connected to tap at the bottom of the butt. Is the hose long enough to reach the bottom of where the butt should be?

The hose has been cut right at the edge of the paving, basically whoever removed it just left the part that is buried under the paving slab. That seems to make sense that the hose would have been connected to the bottom of the water butt tap - given the proximity of the remaining 'clues'

I'm relieved to think that it is just a pipe left from a waterbutt (though don't like to think how long it might have been left running directly onto the patio) and unlikely to be nothing more serious, will proceed with some plugging and tapping before it next rains

Thanks for the feedback everyone.