Leak in mask elbow after cleaning

[JayFett]

Hello all,

I'm new to the board, and think I am having a similar problem to someone else that posted before. I'll include the quote below (I didn't know how to link and believe it more appropriate to start a new topic)

I have been using the F30 full face mask and one time I ended wetting the elbow part that has the diffuser and valves while washing the mask. The valve started leaking like crazy even after it was fully dried. I thought I had ruined the valve but after a few days it started working again and the leak went away. Yesterday I washed that elbow again (you have to wash it I am assuming) and the same issue happened again after being fully dried. The valve started to leak again making it impossible to use the cpap that night. Anyone else seen this ? It’s like the valve loose it’s property after being in contact with water. I think the F20 has the same exact elbow part.

Thanks.

Should any air escape from the elbow where it connects to the mask when I'm not actively breathing? I believe when I exhale this part is supposed to diffuse the air but it is constantly blowing. If I put my fingers around the connector (without blocking the vents), the air starts whistling.

As a consequence, my Airsense unit is always making sound, I believe it was silent except when I was breathing before I cleaned the mask. Should air be escaping at all when not breathing, and should the machine be silent between breaths?

I appreciate any input, my warranty expires in a few days and I've been going kind of nuts with this. My equipment should show in my profile below

[Julie]

Either it's not connected properly (sometimes it's hard to be sure without taking it apart again) or else there's a crack where it bends... many people use duct tape to fix those, but if you don't know that the CO2 vents from (usually) a specific and symmetrical patch or circle of tiny holes and shouldn't be blocked. then I'm not sure what to say.

[chunkyfrog]

The part that is problem is the tiny silicone anti-asphyxiation valve.
The best solution is to note the position of the flaps when they work properly,
and use tweezers or a toothpick to return it to that position if it happens again.
I had a full face mask that did this, and the noise drove me batty until I solved the problem.
Note: washing the mask as often as suggested is foolish, as it wears parts out prematurely.
I wipe down the silicone parts when they "feel" icky;
and wash the frame only when it is noticeably soiled--maybe once a month, if that.
I change headgear when it affects the fit, and wash a bunch of them when they add up.
There is no such thing as "cpap germs".
All the germs in my cpap are MY OWN;
and are those to which I have become immune.
They are technically "family".

[LSAT]

Hello all,

I'm new to the board, and think I am having a similar problem to someone else that posted before. I'll include the quote below (I didn't know how to link and believe it more appropriate to start a new topic)

I have been using the F30 full face mask and one time I ended wetting the elbow part that has the diffuser and valves while washing the mask. The valve started leaking like crazy even after it was fully dried. I thought I had ruined the valve but after a few days it started working again and the leak went away. Yesterday I washed that elbow again (you have to wash it I am assuming) and the same issue happened again after being fully dried. The valve started to leak again making it impossible to use the cpap that night. Anyone else seen this ? It’s like the valve loose it’s property after being in contact with water. I think the F20 has the same exact elbow part.

Thanks.

Should any air escape from the elbow where it connects to the mask when I'm not actively breathing? I believe when I exhale this part is supposed to diffuse the air but it is constantly blowing. If I put my fingers around the connector (without blocking the vents), the air starts whistling.

As a consequence, my Airsense unit is always making sound, I believe it was silent except when I was breathing before I cleaned the mask. Should air be escaping at all when not breathing, and should the machine be silent between breaths?

I appreciate any input, my warranty expires in a few days and I've been going kind of nuts with this. My equipment should show in my profile below

As long as the machine is running there will be air coming out of the exhaust ports...breathing or not. Where else would the air go?

[Gizzard]

Had the same issue, i found its not the silicon flaps that cause this however but the O ring.
Inside the sealed part that connects to the mask is a fibro O ring (gasket),,, when it gets washed it gets distortion from the water, and fails to lie flat in its housing.
You can let it dehydrate naturally which will probably be a day or three.
Or you can dry it out with a hair dryer set on LOW HEAT, this takes about 5 minutes and the problem is fixed.
You must use LOWEST HEAT setting on the dryer and concentrate on the little holes you see on the inside of the elbow.