My Drinkwell Fountain is overflowing

jdchase2

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Hi,

I am new to this forum. Actually I have posted on a forum before. I have two cats and they run the house as I am sure everyone can relate.

We bought a Platinum Drinkwell Fountain recently and it has been working fine, but lately it has decided to overflow and just today it kept pumping into the dish area until it emptied a full water reservoir.

Does anyone have any suggestions on what I could do or wher I might go for more help.

Thanks, David
 
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jdchase2

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Thank you - As I said I am new and learning how these forums work.
 

halfpint

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If you check the lid on the container, there is like a float tpye thing that allows the water to go into the bowel and it releases water from the container when the water level starts going down it the bowel part,it may be getting stuck , Mine has done it
 

jellybella

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Sounds like something isn't in the right place. I would take it apart (like you would to clean it) and put it back together carefully.
 

sylorna

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I read somewhere when I was looking at drinkwell's last week that the new ones can have a defect that causes them to empty like that. Just spent a few minutes looking for the page and I can't find it, but once I'm done my homework I'll look again and post it if I find it.
 

sylorna

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here it is!
reviews

there are a couple talking about overflow, some of them accusing elevation and some a defective reservoir. Theres 3 pages of reviews here, so even though there's only one on the first page, keep on reading.
 

coaster

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I read through most of those reviews. I have a Freshflow, not a Drinkwell Platinum (but I'm thinking of buying one) -- so I'm only analyzing the reviews. My guess is most likely a defective reservoir. It was mentioned the reservoir is not one piece, so if it's not sealed properly, it can leak and cause an overflow in the bowl. Elevation doesn't have anything to do with it as the pressure inside the reservoir is the same as outside no matter what the elevation. But check the filter, too. I'm not sure what effect a blocked filter would have in this model.
 

merlynn's mom

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Ooh ooh. Let me help you. This was happening with mine. I called the 1-800 number in the pamphlet that came with the fountain and they told me there was a problem with the older reservoirs (it was sealed in a fashion that would allow air into the seal thus causing the overflow). They took down my information and mailed out a new reservoir free of charge.


I put in the new reservoir and everything was fine for a day or two then it started again. I made sure the entire thing was clean. Filter, tank, everything free of gunk or hair or whatever likes to get in there. Set in on the counter and no leak. Ok. Back on the floor. LEAK!! I called the 1-800 number again and they said to make sure the fountain was on a level surface. I did. And again it leaked.

Well one night I was awakened to the sound of "splish-splash, I was taking a bath." Little Miss Merlynn was having a grand old time chasing an imaginary fish in the bowl, throwing out tons of water.

Moral of the story: Perhaps it was the reservoir, so call and have them send you a new, free one. Then make sure it's clean, like others have said, and make sure it's on a level surface. FINALLY, make sure your cats aren't using this for playtime.
 

coaster

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Ha ha
that's pretty funny!!
The defective fountain was really a playful cat.
 

4horridbeasts

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My drinkwell fountain began overflowing like yours and I realized that the plastic seal in the spout of the reservoir had fallen out. I couldn't find the seal nor could I find an appropriately sized o-ring at the hardware store, so instead of purchasing a whole new reservoir (~$14) I bought self-forming valve packing from Lowes (~$3). It appears to be doing the trick because the fountain is maintaining normal water levels. However, if that doesn't work, then it is likely that your reservoir has a crack somewhere and is letting air in, preventing the water level from maintaining an equilibrium. Good luck.
 

engineer

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ok a couple things could be wrong....

Assuming the reserve tank has no leaks....cracks or holes....

When you fill the dish...fill the drinking area first...the best way to do this is to fill the reserve tank and let it flow into the bowl. Then fill the top area near the filter to prime the system...

You can fill the reserve tank again and place in the drinking well but do this only once until the reserve is fully emptied and water level is dropping in the bowl.... then and only then fill the reserve tank and reload.

The water level in the bowl should be approximately 1/2 inch below the top of the bowl.

Here's the catch...if you refill the reserve to keep it topped off  when its not empty, it will over flow....water level will rise in the bowl and go over... even though it holds at first... levels of 1/8 inch below will go over the edge with changes in the atmospheric air pressure out side. The water system is balanced on a differential monometer basis but that's more than you need to know.

Key points...if the bowl level is less than 1/2 inch from the top ...empty the unit and start over....do not keep refilling the reserve topping it off) until it's full empty and the water level in the bowl is lowering....

This is a good unit if your careful with filling it...
 

cgrantg

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I fond this out after a lot of trial and error: In order for the valve in the reservoir cap to engage (and keep all the water from pouring out into the drinking tray and overflowing),  the fountain MUST be on a level surface. I place my fountain on a small bath rug. Today after I cleaned the fountain and placed it back on the rug, the rug was SLIGHTLY bunched up in the back, which made the front of the fountain SLIGHTLY lower than the back. Until I made sure the fountain was completely level, the water kept pouring out of the reservoir. That slight tilt throws off the reservoir cap valve.
 

freckspecks

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Found this thread (and forum!) after waking up to a...'Platinum Puddle.' This is our second unit over the years as I always blamed a faulty filter.

For me, rinsing and twisting the tank plunger worked like a charm. The fountain is back in business and there is great relief among the cat pack.

Thanks to all for the great tips!
 
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