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Heating & Air ConditioningHome RepairPlumbing
jticknor

Aprilaire humidifier

5 years ago

I have an Aprilaire humidifier that drains into my basement floor and this year it started overflowing all over the basement. I unplugged it and no problem. I plugged it back in and had it drain to a bucket and noticed that the water is just flowing out of it when it is running, not dripping, but pouring. Is that normal, I never really paid attention to it while it was working? I poured vinegar and baking soda down the drain to try and clean it out but that just ran all over the basement floor too.

Featured Answer
  • 5 years ago

    HUMIDIFIER LEAKS:

    https://www.cooling-heating.net


    Humidifier leaks can cause irreversible damage to wood flooring, wood furniture, sub-flooring, and anything else that is nearby. Mold growth can also occur if the leak is left unchecked. If you discover that your whole-house humidifier is leaking, call an expert to fix the problem right away.


    The expert will do a full inspection of the unit to find the cause of the problem. In most cases, the expert will investigate the following four areas of your humidifier:


    The drain line. Excess water in the humidifier is emptied out through the drain line, so if it’s clogged or blocked in any way, water will build up inside the humidifier and leak out. Damage or holes in the drain line will also cause humidifier leaks. An expert will either unclog the drain line or replace it.


    The solenoid valve. It sends fresh water to the water panel evaporator, where the water is then evaporated into your indoor air. If the solenoid valve is malfunctioning, water will be directed to the wrong areas and that can cause humidifier leaks. An expert will either readjust the solenoid valve so that it sends water to the right place or remove blockage from the area that may be preventing it from closing completely.


    The water panel evaporator. Sometimes it can get clogged, which can lead to too much buildup in the scale control insert, causing a blocked drain line. An expert will replace the water panel evaporator, clean the scale control insert and clear out the drain line.


    The water pressure. Most humidifiers work best with a water pressure of below 125 psi. If the pressure is too high, an expert will use a pressure reducer to fix the problem.



    Comments (8)

    • 5 years ago

      Could be just about anything.

      -Stuck open valve (it will leak when not plugged)

      -Cracked pipe

      -Cracked assembly

      -Not level

      -Too much pressure, try half closing the 1/4" valve.

      -Drain clogged

      -Needs new filter

      It is not a complicated device, I do not know if you have A600 vs A700, you need to observe it working to be able to tell.

    • 5 years ago

      Thanks. I ordered a new filter but the filter is only a year old so I don't think thats the problem. It just seems like a lot of water coming thru when the heater is running but maybe it's normal, I don't really know. There's no water when it's not plugged in so i don't think the valve is the problem. It's been running fine for 20 yrs., but the drain is just a small hole drilled into the concrete floor that's just a little larger than the tube coming out of the bottom of the humidifier, it's not really a drain, just a small hole in the concrete. I'm assuming it drains into the rock underneath the concrete floor so I don't know why the water wouldn't just be absorbed into the ground under the rock, unless the water table has risen. When you say "try half closing the 1/4" valve", is that a valve on the water line running into the filter or is that a valve in the humidifier itself? I appreciate your help.

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    • 5 years ago

      No, your drain should be going into the sump pump, not some rock.

    • 5 years ago

      You could add a condensate pump & plumb it into a sewer line or sink/ washing machine drain.

      My heater condensate goes into a hole in the concrete like you have. But the humidifier is set up w/ a condensate pump & drains into the main sewer line.

      Generally speaking, the filter media needs to be changed a couple of times per season. How often will be determined on how many months you need to heat, water quality, softened water, etc....

      jticknor thanked ci_lantro
    • 5 years ago

      We have very hard water and change our Aprilaire filter twice a season. We also had leaking but it was only that the filter was saturated in minerals.

    • 5 years ago

      I ordered a new filters which are supposed to arrive today so I'll replace it and see if that help. It just seems like the water is just pouring into the humidifier and then out again so maybe it is the filter. Thank you.

    • 5 years ago

      It is leaking badly and it is 20 years old maybe it is time for a replacement.

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