Drowning in Your CPAP?
Getting splashed by your CPAP in the middle of the night? Colder room temperatures can cause humid air to condense in your tubing, leading to frustrating drips also known as "rainout." Discover the simple fixes to wake up feeling refreshed, not drenched.
Why are you experiencing rainout?
Rainout occurs when you use a CPAP machine with a humidifier attached. When the temperature of the room is colder than the temperature of the humidified air traveling through your CPAP tube, water condensation builds up on the sides of the tube. The water will then drip out as it exits the tube — essentially raining on you.
Customize your humidification
Climate Control features on the AirSense 11 automatically match your room's temperature.
Upgrade to a heated tube
A heated tube keeps water droplets from forming inside — and insurance could cover it.
Keep your CPAP clean
Moisture buildup breeds bacteria and mold, making your supplies less sanitary and less effective.
Insulate with a tube cover
An extra layer of protection between your room's cool air and the warm air inside your tube.
Could your CPAP supplies be covered by insurance?
Whether you're upgrading your CPAP or replacing worn-out supplies, it's worth seeing what your insurance will cover. Check in 60 seconds — free, no obligation.
Why rainout is more than just annoying
Rainout doesn't just wake you up with an unwelcome splash. Left unchecked, the condensation in your tubing creates a chain of problems that undermine your entire sleep therapy.
Consequences of Rainout
- Noisy sleep therapy: Moisture in the tube causes unusual noises during the night — like gurgling as air pressure flows through a tube full of droplets.
- Mold growth on CPAP supplies: Your supplies become less sanitary if not dried out properly between uses, as damp residue is a breeding ground for germs and mold.
- Shortened equipment lifespan: Moisture left over from rainout can lead to supplies degrading faster, contributing to small holes in your tubing that are hard to notice.
- Reduced therapy compliance: Waking up to water dripping on your face makes you more likely to take the mask off — and inconsistent use means your therapy isn't working.
The main cause of rainout is the temperature difference between your room and the humidified air in your tubing. When your room is colder than the air traveling through the tube, water vapor condenses into droplets — just like a cold glass of water on a hot day. Every tip below addresses this root cause from a different angle.
Tip #1: Customize your humidification settings
The main cause of rainout is the difference in the temperature of your room and the temperature in your tubing. The ResMed AirSense 11 AutoSet prevents rainout with its Climate Control functions:
- Automated Climate Control: Adjusts the humidity level of your water chamber and the temperature of your heated hose to match your room's climate
- ClimateLineAir Heated Tubing: Controls the moisture levels and the air temperature in your tube
- Tube Drier: After using your CPAP, a snowflake symbol will flash and the machine will dry out any moisture that remains in your hose
- Automated Climate Control prevents rainout by matching room temperature
- ClimateLineAir heated tubing controls moisture and air temperature
- Built-in Tube Drier removes residual moisture after each session
- Integrated humidifier with 7 adjustable levels for personalized comfort
This is a game changer. I never realized the gravity of the effects from Apnea until I used the Resmed. I wake completely refreshed, and completely free of the morning mental fog which had plagued me most of my adult life.
Tip #2: Upgrade to a heated tube
If you don't already have a heated tube, consider upgrading to one or upgrading to a CPAP that works with one. The heating function will keep water droplets from forming inside the tube and prevent rainout from happening.
If you already have a heated tube but you're still experiencing rainout, you're probably due for a new one. When CPAP supplies don't function as well as they used to, replacing them is the quickest and most effective solution.
In either of the above situations, insurance could cover your CPAP supplies. Whether you're upgrading to a new CPAP entirely or just looking to get a replacement tube, it's worth seeing what costs your insurance can pick up.
- Heated tubing prevents condensation and rainout
- Designed for the AirSense 11 — integrates with Climate Control
- Maintains consistent air temperature from machine to mask
- Replace every 3 months for optimal performance
Your replacement tube could be covered
Most insurance plans cover replacement tubing every 3 months. Check your eligibility in 60 seconds — it's free and there's no obligation.
Check Your Insurance CoverageTip #3: Make sure you're cleaning your CPAP
Water buildup can restrict airflow from your CPAP, but rainout isn't just a problem that prevents you from having a peaceful night's sleep. If you aren't cleaning your supplies every day, the moisture buildup can allow bacteria and mold to grow in your CPAP supplies. The Lumin CPAP Cleaner will quickly sanitize your mask and water chamber.
- Simple and Quick: Lumin kills 99% of bacteria in a one-touch 5 minute cycle
- UV Technology: Specialized UV-C light source targets harmful bacteria, viruses, mold, and fungus
- Complete compatibility: No adapter needed
- UV-C sanitization — 99% kill rate on bacteria, viruses, and mold in just 5 minutes
- No water, no ozone, no chemicals — completely safe for silicone and plastic components
- Large chamber fits all CPAP mask types, humidifier chambers, and accessories
- One-touch operation — drop it in, press the button, done
Lumin is so easy and quick for mask sterilization. No weird odor and your equipment is ready in 5 minutes.
Tip #4: Insulate your tube with a tube cover
If you don't have a CPAP compatible with a heated hose yet and can't upgrade your machine at this time, then a tube cover can help lower the amount of rainout that occurs.
Tube covers provide an extra layer of protection between the temperature in your room and the temperature in your tube. This helps keep rainout down by insulating your tube from your room's cool air that would otherwise condense the water vapor in your tube back into droplets.
- Insulates tubing from cooler room temperatures
- Reduces condensation and rainout
- Zippered design for easy installation and removal
- Compatible with standard CPAP tubing
Our CPAP experts are happy to help you figure it out. For a free consultation with a CPAP expert, give us a call at (866) 564-2252.
Your CPAP supplies could be yours for $0
If you have insurance, there's a strong chance your supplies are covered on a regular replacement schedule — including the tubing, filters, and mask components that prevent rainout when they're in good condition. Check your eligibility in 60 seconds. It's free and there's no obligation.
Coverage varies by plan. We verify in real time and bill insurance directly — you pay only what your plan requires.
Stop the drip — get started
Three ways to take the next step. If you already know what you need, go straight to the shop. If you want to check your insurance first, that takes about a minute. And if you'd rather talk to a human, we're here.
