Why Is My Humidifier Spitting Out Water – The Perfect Answer

“Why is my humidifier spitting out water?” has the most straightforward answer: “You have too much water in your tank.” But, we’ll elaborate a bit more.

If you have ever used a humidifier, they are great for adding moisture to the air. 

10 Reasons Why Is My Humidifier Spitting Out Water

In the winter, the air is dry and causes static electricity and dry skin. So using a humidifier can help with that. 

When the air is humid, it feels warmer than when it’s dry. So in the winter, you can save on your heating bill by using a humidifier.

However, a few things can go wrong with your humidifier. One of them is that it might start spitting out water.

This can be unpleasant, and you might be wondering why it’s happening.

Here are the reasons why your humidifier might be spitting out water:

1. Too Much Water In Tank:

This is the most common reason why your humidifier is spitting out water. 

If too much water is in the tank, it will start to overflow and come out of the machine.

Too much water also means that the humidifier will run for longer, leading to other problems like mould growth.

The solution is to empty some of the water from the tank. Otherwise, you can try using a smaller tank.

If the humidifier is spitting out water even when the tank is not complete, there might be something wrong with the float valve.

2. Float Valve Isn’t Working:

The float valve tells the humidifier when to turn off and on. If the float valve isn’t working, the humidifier will keep running even when the tank is empty. 

This will cause the water to overflow and come out of the machine. The float valve can stop working when it gets clogged with dirt or minerals. 

You can try cleaning the float valve to see if that fixes the problem. If not, you might need to replace it.

Call customer service to see if your humidifier has a warranty. 

3. Blocked Mist Nozzle:

The mist nozzle is what emits the water vapour from the humidifier. A blocked mist nozzle can cause the water to overflow and come out of the machine. 

Mineral deposits can cause a blocked mist nozzle. So it’s essential to clean the humidifier regularly. 

Even dirt or mould can cause the mist nozzle to become blocked. So, it’s essential to keep the humidifier clean. 

You can try soaking the nozzle in a cleaning solution to dissolve the mineral deposits. If that doesn’t work, you might need to replace the nozzle.

4. Not Enough Humidity:

This might seem like an odd reason, but it’s possible. If the air in your room is too dry, the humidifier will work overtime to reach the desired humidity level. 

This can cause it to spit some water out in the rash working. Not only will the water come out of the machine, but it will also be hot. 

The solution is to raise the humidity level in your room. You can do this by using a humidifier with a larger tank or by running it for a longer time. 

5. Damaged Seals Or Gaskets:

If the seals or gaskets in your humidifier are defective, it can cause water to leak out. 

Seals are there to prevent water from leaking, so if they are damaged, it can cause some severe problems. 

Gaskets are there to create a snug fit between the different parts of the humidifier. Damaged ones can cause some gaps, which will allow water to escape. 

This is usually not a big problem and can get fixed by replacing the seals or gaskets. 

However, if the damage is severe, you might need to replace the entire humidifier.

6. Defective Pump:

The pump is responsible for moving the water from the tank to the nozzle. If the pump is defective, it can cause it to spit water out.

Pumps get defective due to wear and tear. You can try cleaning the pump to see if that helps. 

Otherwise, you might need to replace it. Usually, a pump costs a few hundred dollars to replace.

7. There Are Leaks:

If the humidifier’s body has cracks or leaks, it can cause water to come out. 

You can try to fix the cracks with epoxy or tape. These leaks might be because the humidifier is old. 

Or, it could be due to bad manufacturing. Something might have happened during shipping and handling, which damaged it.

If you can’t fix the leaks, you might need to replace the humidifier.

8. It’s Just Old:

Humidifiers don’t last forever. Over time, they will start to wear out and break down. 

Eventually, you will need to replace the entire machine. There’s no way to fix an old humidifier. 

The ideal lifespan of a humidifier is about five years. After that, you should start to think about getting a new one. 

9. The Tank Is Too Hot:

The water in the tank should be at room temperature. If it’s too hot, it can cause the water to evaporate too quickly. 

This can cause the humidifier to spit out water. You can try putting the tank in a cooler location. 

Or, you can try turning down the humidifier. If the problem persists, you might need to replace the humidifier.

10. There Is Electricity Involved:

If the humidifier is plugged into an outlet, there is a chance that it could be getting too much electricity. 

This can cause the water to heat up and evaporate too quickly. It can also damage the humidifier. 

You should unplug the humidifier and let it cool down. Once it’s cooled down, you can try plugging it back in. 

If the problem persists, you might need to replace the humidifier.

So here are the most common reasons why your humidifier might be spitting out water. 

You can try to fix some of the problems yourself. But, if the problem is severe, you might need to replace the humidifier.

Other Signs Of A Damaged Or Defective Humidifier:

Spitting out water is not the only sign that your humidifier might be defective. 

Here are some other signs to look out for:

1. The Humidifier Makes Strange Noises:

If the humidifier starts to make strange noises, it could signal something is wrong. 

The most common noise is a hissing sound. This could be due to a leak in the machine. Or, it could be because the water is coming out too quickly. 

Another common noise is a rattling sound. This could be due to loose parts inside the humidifier.  Or, it could be because the water tank is empty. 

If the humidifier makes strange noises, you should turn it off. Investigate the problem and try to fix it before turning it on.

2. The Mist Is Coming Out Weak Or Not At All:

Mist is a critical feature of a humidifier. If the mist is weak or not, it’s a sign that something is wrong. 

This could be due to several different problems. It could be due to a blocked nozzle. 

Or, it could be because the water tank is empty. It could also be because the humidifier is old and needs replacement.

3. The Humidifier Is Not Turning On Or Off:

If the humidifier is not turning on or off, it could be due to several problems. 

It could be due to a defective power cord. Or, it could be due to a faulty switch. 

It could also be because the humidifier is old and you need to replace it. 

Or the humidifier may have gotten damaged during shipping and handling. It’s always a good idea to check for physical damage before using a new humidifier. 

While most of these problems can get fixed, sometimes it’s just best to replace the humidifier. 

And if the machine is defective, it’s also probably time for a new one. 

Use Owner’s Manual

When in doubt, always refer to the owner’s manual. The owner’s manual will have all the information you need to troubleshoot and fix the problem. 

Here are the things you should look for in the owner’s manual:

1. Type Of Humidifier You Have:

There are many different types of humidifiers on the market. Each type has its own set of instructions. 

So, it’s essential to know which type of humidifier you have. The most common types are ultrasonic and evaporative. Steam vaporizer humidifiers are also standard.

You will know what sort of features your humidifier has. This will help you troubleshoot the problem. 

2. Maintenance Schedule:

The owner’s manual will also have a maintenance schedule. This schedule will tell you how often you need to clean the humidifier. 

It will also give you instructions on how to clean the humidifier properly. Cleaning the humidifier is essential to prevent the growth of mould and bacteria. 

And most of the time, any damage done to the humidifier can fix by simply cleaning it. 

3. Troubleshooting Tips:

The owner’s manual will also have troubleshooting tips. These tips will help you identify and fix the problem. 

For example, one of the most common problems is that the humidifier is not working because it’s not been adequately cleaned. 

Another common problem is that the humidifier is not working because of the empty water tank. 

The troubleshooting tips will help you identify and fix these types of problems.

4. Storage Instructions:

The owner’s manual will also have storage instructions. This is important if you need to store the humidifier for any reason. 

For example, you might need to store the humidifier during the winter. Or, you might need to store the humidifier if you’re moving. 

Either way, it’s essential to follow the storage instructions in the owner’s manual. 

5. Replacement Parts:

The owner’s manual will also have information on replacement parts. This is important if you need to replace any parts of the humidifier. 

For example, you might need to replace the filter. Or, you might need to replace the nozzle. 

Either way, knowing where to get replacement parts for your humidifier is essential. 

The owner’s manual is an excellent resource for troubleshooting. It can fix problems with your humidifier. 

And if you can’t find the answer in the owner’s manual, you can always contact the manufacturer. 

Final Word:

The reasons why your humidifier is spitting out water can vary. But, most of the time, it’s an easy problem to fix. 

It might be as simple as adding more water to the tank. Or, it might be as simple as cleaning the humidifier. 

But, if the problem persists, you might need to replace the humidifier. In any case, the best thing to do is consult the owner’s manual. 

The owner’s manual will have all the information you need to troubleshoot and fix the problem.