Why Do Vape Atomizers Leak, and How Can You Fix It?

 　　Most people have experienced this: your e-liquid leaks out and gets all over the device. Almost everyone runs into this problem, but some people seem unable to stop it from happening again and again. There’s really no need to worry—there are many ways to prevent leaks. Below are 10 simple solutions compiled by the vaping news site to help you go from beginner to experienced user.

  　　1. Fill e-liquid correctly   　　This is the most common and also the easiest cause of leaking to avoid. The central airflow chimney in an atomizer runs through the entire atomizer up to the drip tip. Although manuals usually warn users not to add e-liquid into the airflow chimney, it’s still very common to accidentally get e-liquid into it, which can cause leaking. When filling, be careful to avoid the chimney. If e-liquid does get in, clean it thoroughly with a tissue before use. Also, do not overfill the tank. It’s generally recommended to fill it to about two-thirds full. Leaving some space at the top helps create a vacuum inside the tank, which can help prevent e-liquid leakage.   　　2. Check your O-rings   　　Worn or damaged O-rings are also a common cause of leaking. Disassemble your atomizer and carefully inspect the O-rings. If they are damaged, cracked, or missing entirely, that means the seal of your atomizer has already been compromised. Fortunately, atomizer accessories usually include replacement O-rings. Even if you’ve used them up or can’t find them, don’t worry—O-rings are easy to buy and inexpensive, as long as you know the correct size.   　　3. Check the atomizer’s seal   　　This is one of the most common causes of leaking and also one of the easiest to fix. If the various parts of the atomizer are not properly secured together, e-liquid may leak out through the gaps. First, check whether the threads of each part are properly aligned, then tighten everything and make sure the tank is sealed. Be careful not to overtighten, because that can also cause leaking. Once the atomizer is snug, just tighten it a little more. If the threads are crossed, try rethreading them in the correct position and use the undamaged side to help realign the stripped side. If it still won’t tighten properly, then it can’t be repaired, and you may need to replace that part or even the entire atomizer. Fortunately, most high-quality atomizers today are made from durable materials, so the threads are not easily damaged.   　　4. Keep the atomizer upright   　　Some atomizers should not be left lying flat for long periods. If you leave it on its side overnight, e-liquid may leak out through the airflow inlet. If you won’t be using it for a while, try to keep the atomizer upright. If your battery needs charging, remove the atomizer before charging and keep it standing upright.   　　5. Airflow closed or insufficient   　　If your atomizer uses bottom airflow and the airflow is accidentally closed or adjusted to the minimum, less air will enter the airflow path and the draw resistance will increase. But if you inhale too hard, the excessive pressure difference may pull too much e-liquid into the coil head, causing flooding and then leakage. Increasing the airflow or reducing the force of your draw can help maintain a normal pressure difference and prevent leaking from the coil head.   　　6. Problems with the coil head   　　As with most mass-produced products, manufacturing consistency can vary. Because there are so many vaping manufacturers in China, this situation occurs fairly often. In some cases, the coil head may have a manufacturing defect that prevents it from holding e-liquid properly, resulting in leaks. First, make sure your coil head is screwed in correctly. If it is, then you may need to replace it. In this case, it’s best to try coil heads from a different batch. If the problem still persists, then other, more complex causes may be involved, as discussed below.   　　7. Clean your atomizer   　　If you haven’t cleaned your atomizer for some time, residue buildup inside it may affect the tank and lead to leaking. The simplest method is to disassemble the atomizer, rinse all parts except the coil head with water, let them dry thoroughly, and then reassemble them. If you switch e-liquid flavors frequently, you should clean your atomizer regularly.   　　8. Check whether the atomizer is cracked   　　Inspect your atomizer for cracks or other damage. Small chips on the edge of the glass tank or deformed metal parts can prevent the tank from sealing properly, causing leakage. If your glass tank is damaged, replace it promptly with a spare. Even if you’ve already used the spare, replacement glass tanks and O-rings are easy to buy as long as you know the model.   　　9. Use e-liquid with the proper viscosity   　　For high-power coil heads (such as SMOK’s TF series), any e-liquid with less than 70% VG may be more likely to leak because PG is thinner and because of the size of the coil’s wicking ports. The atomizer user manual will usually recommend a suitable e-liquid viscosity. As a general rule, cloud-chasing atomizers work best with 70% VG (30% PG) or higher, and flavor-focused atomizers can often also handle up to 70% VG. Check your e-liquid label to confirm the PG/VG ratio.   　　10. Put the top cap back on   　　Because of the pressure dynamics inside an atomizer, if the top cap is left off, it may also leak from the airflow inlet. Maybe you got distracted after refilling and forgot to close it—whatever the reason, be sure to note that if the top cap will remain open for a long time, the tank should be empty. Closing the airflow may help somewhat, but it will not solve the problem completely, so it’s still best to close the top cap promptly. #p#分页标题#e#