If your drain does not lift all the way open or does not settle fully closed, the drain cable tension is often the reason, and it can be adjusted without replacing anything. The adjustment is made at the brass connector inside the drain handle, where the cable meets the steel lever. Loosening the cable is a matter of removing one small screw, unhooking the lever, and rotating the brass connector one full turn. The support team can also send the drain cable adjustment video if you would like to watch it done before you start.

Rule Out the Simple Causes First

Before adjusting anything, confirm the cable is the problem. Lift out the drain plug from the drain that is misbehaving. The plug does not attach to the lever inside the drain, so it comes out by hand. With the plug removed, turn the handle and watch the lever inside the drain opening.

• If the lever moves but does not travel far enough, the cable is too loose and needs to be tightened.
• If the lever will not drop fully, the cable may be too tight and needs to be loosened.
• If the lever does not move at all when the handle turns, look under the tub and check that the cable is still engaged with the lever beneath the drain. A cable that has slipped off the lever needs to be reattached rather than adjusted. See why the drain will not open when the handle is turned.
• If the knob spins freely and you have to push it in to move the stopper, the handle itself has loosened. Tightening loose drain handles covers that fix.

Keep in mind that with an empty tub you can partially open the drains, but when there is water in the tub the handles must be turned past the lock point for the drains to open. A drain that seems stuck under load may simply need the handle turned farther.

How to Loosen the Drain Cable

1. Inside the drain handle, locate the brass connector that attaches the cable to the steel lever.
2. Remove the small screw on the brass connector. Work over a towel or a tray, because this screw is very easy to lose.
3. Pull the steel lever out of the brass connector.
4. Rotate the brass connector one full turn counterclockwise.
5. Reattach the steel lever, replace the small screw, and test the drain with the plug out.

Tightening the cable uses the same brass connector turned in the opposite direction, and the team has a separate video that shows the tightening steps. If the lever still does not travel far enough after one full turn, repeat the adjustment one turn at a time and test after each turn until the lever moves through its full range.

When One Stopper Sits Higher Than the Other

Two drains on the same tub sometimes rest at slightly different heights, and this is not necessarily a fault. With both plugs removed, check that the plug stems are the same, then open and close both drains and compare how far each lever travels. If both levers travel fully and the tub holds water, there is nothing wrong and no warranty concern. If one lever travels noticeably less, that cable is too loose and can be tightened as described above. Stem height itself is set at the plug, which is covered in drain plugs, plug stems, gaskets and hair catchers.

When Adjustment Is Not Enough

If the cable itself is damaged, adjusting the tension will not restore full travel and the cable should be replaced. Replacing the drain cable and adjusting drain height walks through that job step by step. Replacement cables are covered as parts under the lifetime parts warranty, and the team verifies coverage with your serial number. A local licensed plumber can handle the work if you would rather not reach under the tub yourself.

Common Questions

Still Need Help?

Open a ticket at ellasbubbles.com/support or call (800) 480-6850 and have your model and serial number ready.