Aprilaire Humidifier model 700

Has anyone had any issues with water leaking on the sides of the humidifier attached to the ventilation system? Everything starts out great but by the time I get home from work there is water on the floor from the humidifier. I've changed the water panel but without any success. We're also getting a little musty smell in the study when the humidifier is on. Any suggestions on how to fix this are most welcomed. Thanks in advance

 

Funny, but yes I have had this same problem twice. I have either the 600 or 700; I think its the 700 (and it was installed by Whitman Mechanical).

I now have a maintenance agreement with ME Flow and the ME Flow guy said it may be because the pad was dirty, or not placed properly. I personally can't believe that the pad that was new and installed last Sept/Oct got sooo dirty that it intermittently (and only 2 times - each occurring 3-4 months apart) allowed water to flow past it and out of the unit. But he claims its a possible cause.

After the first time it happened I bought one of those $20 water sentry alarms from Home Depot and put it near the humidifer (which is how I was alerted when it leaked the second time 3-4 months later). It hasn't happened again.

 

They did increase the water pressure at our 11 month walk through and this is when it started to happen. I've played with the flow control and haven't been able to get the right flow apparently. Have you had any issues with a mildew smell when the humidifier is on? Would you recommend ME Flow? Cheers.

 

ME Flow did the opposite for me - when they did my Fall inspection last year, they decreased the pressure. The guy said it was running too fast. Then a month after he did that I got the first leak.

That's why I think they somehow caused the problem but since its only happened twice (once that fall and again in early march 2006) I'm really not sure what the root cause is.

ME Flow is OK - they were cheaper than Whitman Mechanical which is why I switched to them ... I think other Broadlands home owners have also done the same (switching to ME Flow from Whitman)

 

We go through filters in our Aprilaire Humidifier like crazy. I believe we have the 700 as well. They say that one filter should last you a season but the last 2 years we've gone through 2 a season. The water around here must contain stuff that corrodes these filters really fast. Luckily I've not had any issue with leaking with ours though.

I have the same problem with our upstairs humidifier. I go through a filter a month on that thing and at $25 a pop it's not cheap. Filters always come out pink so I know it's the water. I do follow the cleaning instructions on the portable house humidifier upstairs.

 

Could be that the actaul drain tube is clogged or that the filter holder is not set properly in the drain hole - no leaks (knock on wood) here.

 

The drain tube is fine and our sump pump is flushing everything without any issues. There have also been times where I have some water leaking out of the vents at the connection points as well. Have you all had any issues with mildew smells when the humidifier is on?

 

I've not had any mildew smells with mine.