Ella's Bubbles Walk In Tub Blog

Support Center / Troubleshooting & Repairs / Air Line Leaking Under the Tub: Cut Out the Hole and Rejoin With a Coupling
Back to Troubleshooting & Repairs

Air Line Leaking Under the Tub: Cut Out the Hole and Rejoin With a Coupling

Updated September 2026

▶Glossary9
  1. Why an Air Line Leaks Water
  2. Identify the Line First
  3. Cutting and Rejoining the Line
  4. When to Replace Instead of Splice
  5. Who Does the Repair
  6. Related Guides
  7. Related Videos
  8. Common Questions
  9. Still Need Help?

If a tube under your tub has a hole and water bubbles or drips from it when the air system runs, the fix is usually simple. Cut the line at the damaged spot and rejoin the two ends with a coupling. If the tubing has gone brittle, replace that run instead. Ella ships replacement tubing and fittings under the lifetime parts warranty, and your installer or a local licensed plumber does the work. Start by sending a short video of the leak so support can tell you exactly which line it is.

Why an Air Line Leaks Water

Air lines carry water as well as air. Bath water backs into the air jets during a soak, and the auto purge blows it out automatically about 20 minutes after the air pump is turned off. A pinhole in a line therefore shows up as water spraying or bubbling from the tube during a bath or during the purge, even though the tube belongs to the air system and not the water supply.

Identify the Line First

Several kinds of tubing run under the tub: the white corrugated line that feeds the air jets, the smaller rubber air lines, the flexible hoses of the hydro system, and the very thin control hoses to the push buttons. Record a short video with the pump running so the leak is visible, and send it with your model and serial number through ellasbubbles.com/support. Support identifies the line from the video, confirms the coupling or tubing size, and ships parts if you need them. The thin control hoses are a different part, covered in why the little air hoses fall off the controls.

Cutting and Rejoining the Line

  1. Turn off the tub breakers and drain the tub.
  2. Find the hole. Dry the tube and look for the wet spot or bubbling you saw in the video.
  3. Cut the tube on each side of the hole so the damaged section is removed.
  4. Push a coupling that matches the tube onto both ends. Support confirms the size for your line before you buy or before a coupling ships.
  5. Restore power, run the air system and watch the joint for a few minutes. Let a purge cycle run and check again.

When to Replace Instead of Splice

Older lines can turn brittle and crack in more than one place. If the tube cracks when you handle it, or you find a second hole, replace the whole run rather than adding couplings. Ella supplies the tubing and connectors; see air jet tubing and connectors and, for shredded lines, replacing tubing after rodent damage. If the leaking line turns out to be a hydro hose, the parts are different and are covered in hydro jet hoses and fittings.

Who Does the Repair

Ella does not have service technicians. Replacing tubing is simple and straightforward for your original installer, a licensed plumber or an experienced handyman, and the installer is the best first call because they know how the tub was set in and who does this work locally. The hard part is usually access. If the leak is behind a wall or under a deck with no access panel, opening that up is the labor, and it is on the homeowner's side while the parts come from Ella under the warranty. See who repairs my tub after installation for more on how this works.

Chapters in this video
  1. 0:00 Air Massage Speed Control The video demonstrates how to control the three-speed air massage function on the walk-in tub.
  2. 0:23 Auto Purge System Explained The video explains how the auto purge system keeps the walk-in tub fresh and clean by blowing water out of the air pipes.
  3. 0:48 Auto Purge While Bathing The video addresses what happens if the auto purge system activates while someone is still in the tub.

Watch: Voted Best Walk-In Tub in 2020 With Air Massage & Auto Purge Function with chapters and a full transcript.

Common Questions

Why is water coming out of an air tube?
Air lines fill partly with bath water during a soak, and the purge cycle pushes that water back out through the jets. A hole in the line lets that water escape under the tub. It does not mean the water supply is leaking.
Do I need to send a video before ordering parts?
Yes, a short video with the pump running is the fastest way to get help. Support uses it to tell which line is leaking, and whether a coupling or a full length of tubing is the right fix. Include your model and serial number with the video.
What size coupling do I need for the line?
It depends on which line is leaking, because the white corrugated line and the smaller rubber air lines use different connectors. Send a video through ellasbubbles.com/support so support can confirm the size before you buy anything.
Is replacement air tubing covered by the warranty?
Yes, replacement air tubing and connectors are covered under Ella's Bubbles lifetime parts warranty. Once the problem is verified, Ella ships these parts to you. However, the labor for the repair and any work required to open up access to the tub are not covered by the warranty.
Who can I hire to do this repair?
Your original installer is the best first call. If they are not available, a licensed plumber or an experienced handyman can cut and couple or replace tubing, since it does not require special tools. Ella supports them by phone while they work.

Still Need Help?

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

Related guides

Did this solve it?

If not, open a ticket and our team will pick it up from here.

Open a Support Ticket