If your walk-in tub turned on by itself about 20 minutes after your bath, what you heard was the air massage Auto-Purge, and it is completely normal. About 20 minutes after you turn the air massage pump off, the system automatically turns the air pump back on and runs it for 120 seconds to blow leftover water and moisture out of the air lines. It starts on its own, it cannot be interrupted, and it shuts itself off when the two minutes are up. Nothing is wrong with your tub. In fact, this is your tub taking care of itself.

Why the Tub Does This

After the air pump is turned off, some bath water naturally flows back into the air piping. If that water were left standing in the lines, it could create mildew or bacteria over time. So about 20 minutes after the pump goes off, Auto-Purge turns the air pump back on and blows air through the whole system for 120 seconds, drying out the lines and keeping your tub fresh, clean, and mold free for years of reliable service.

The video above explains it exactly: after the air pump is turned off, some water flows back into the pipes. Twenty minutes after you shut off the air massage, Auto-Purge turns the air pump back on to blow out the water in the air pipes and runs for two minutes, making sure your tub is free from water, mold, and mildew. It also shows the air massage button sequence: one press for high, a second for medium, a third for low and a fourth to turn it off. The hydro versus air controls article covers the rest of the deck controls.

What You Will Notice

• The tub will sound like the air jets are running, even though no one pressed a button.
• If you drained the tub already, you will hear air blowing through empty jets. That is the purge drying the lines.
• If you are still soaking when it starts, you will feel the air jets come on for two minutes. This can be surprising the first time, but there is no cause for concern. Just let it run its course and it will shut off on its own.
• If you have started refilling the tub for a second bath within that 20 minutes, the purge may begin while the water is still low. Let it finish; it does no harm.

Other sounds your tub makes, and which ones are normal, are collected in hums, clicks, whooshes and buzzes.

A Feature, Not a Fault

Auto-Purge is one of two automated cleaning helpers built into Ella jetted tubs. The other is the eco friendly ozone sterilization system, which runs whenever the hydro massage runs and makes a light humming noise when it is operating by itself; see what is ozone sanitation. Together they keep the water and air systems sanitary between your monthly cleaning routine. Neither one replaces the monthly vinegar flush described in your cleaning instructions, but both work quietly in the background so your tub stays fresh for every bath.

Three-Speed Air Massage with Auto-Purge on Video

This video demonstrates the three speed air massage system and its Auto-Purge function on an Ella walk-in tub, the same self-cleaning cycle described above.

Common Questions

Still need help? Open a support ticket at ellasbubbles.com/support and the team will be glad to walk through it with you, or call (800) 480-6850.