Can a Seat Belt Harness Be Added to an Installed Walk-In Tub?

Yes. The seat belt bracket is fastened from inside the tub, so the harness can be added after installation without moving the tub. A contractor or a handy family member mounts the square four-hole bracket with a drill and a screwdriver, using measurements the team supplies for your model. The step-by-step drilling guide is in Installing the Seat Belt Harness: Bracket Location, Pilot Holes and Screws.

Why the Tub Does Not Need to Move

The bracket is screwed to the back of the tub behind the bather, and the screws are driven from inside the tub shell. Nothing under the tub or behind the surround is involved, so an installed tub with the plumbing and access panels in place is ready for the job. If you are still deciding whether the harness suits your situation, read about the seat belt option first.

Before You Drill

• Open a ticket at ellasbubbles.com/support or call (800) 480-6850 with your model and serial number and ask for the seat belt mounting measurements. The team sends a picture showing where the bracket sits on your tub so the belt lands correctly on the bather.
• Gather the harness, the square four-hole bracket and four mounting screws. If none came with your harness, the team can send the screws the factory uses.
• Have a drill with a 7/64 inch bit, which is what the factory uses. A 1/8 inch bit also works, but do not go larger.
• Keep a Phillips screwdriver, a marker or masking tape and a tape measure on hand.

Mounting the Bracket

Transfer the measurements from the picture onto the back of the tub, hold the bracket in place and mark all four holes through it. Pre-drill each hole, set the bracket over the pilot holes and drive the four screws until the bracket sits snug against the tub wall. Clip the harness to the bracket, seat the bather and adjust the strap for a comfortable, secure fit. The screws thread directly into the tub wall, so a hole larger than 1/8 inch leaves the threads nothing to bite into, and there is no easy way to recover an oversized hole.

Ordering the Harness with a New Tub

If your tub has not shipped yet, add the seat belt harness to your order with your Ella dealer or the team at (800) 480-6850 so it appears on the proposal and the confirmation invoice and arrives with the tub. The mounting steps are the same either way.

Accessories That Need No Drilling

Several accessories rest in place or attach with suction cups and can be added to an installed tub without tools, including the swivel tray, seat pillow riser, seat cushions and the headrest. If you are outfitting the tub with a bench, shelf or curtain rod at the same time, the accessory installation guide covers those pieces.

Related Guides

• Is There a Seat Belt for the Walk-In Tub?
• Swivel Tray, Seat Pillow Riser, and Seat Cushions: Which Tubs They Fit

Common Questions

Can I add the seat belt after the tub is installed? Yes. The bracket is fastened from inside the tub, so the tub does not need to be moved. Ask the team for the measurement picture for your model and follow the drilling steps.

Where does the bracket go on my tub? On the back of the tub behind the bather. The precise position depends on the model, so use the team's measurement picture before drilling.

What size pilot hole should I drill? Use a 7/64 inch bit, which is what the factory uses, or 1/8 inch at most. An oversized hole weakens the grip of the screws.

Does Ella send someone out to mount the bracket? No. Ella supplies the harness, bracket, screws and measurements, and a local contractor or a capable family member does the mounting. The team is available by ticket or phone if a question comes up.

What if my harness arrived without screws? Ask the team to send a set before you begin. If you would rather buy screws locally, have the team confirm the size and type first.