Whether someone can open the walk-in tub door while it is full depends on which way the door swings. An inward swing door is held shut by the water pressure of a full tub, so even if a bather grabs the handle and lifts it, the door cannot be pulled open against the weight of the water. An outward swing door works differently: it relies on a gear and shaft latch mechanism with tapered pins driven into the jamb, and the handle sits on the outside of the door where it is harder for the bather to reach. The pins only retract when that handle is rotated fully back to the open position, so accidental opening is unlikely, but a helper or a confused bather who rotates the handle all the way with the tub full can unlock the door. The first thing to check is which door style you have, because that answers most questions about accidental opening.

Likely Causes

• An outward swing U shape or L shape door whose handle was rotated fully while the tub was full.
• A bather who forgets to drain before reaching for the handle, which on an inward door does no harm.
• An assisted bathing setup where a helper operates the door.

What to Check, in Order

1. Identify your door. Inward swing doors on models such as the Standard, Zen, Flow, Ultra, Elite, Petite, Royal, Deluxe and Ultimate open into the tub and are held shut by water pressure. Outward swing doors on the U shape family and the Transfer family open away from the tub. Our guide to inward versus outward swing doors lists each model.
2. If you have an inward door, the bather cannot open it while the tub is full, so a lifted handle does not cause a flood. Teach the routine of draining completely first, as explained in why the door will not open until drained.
3. If you have an outward swing door, make sure anyone helping understands that the handle must stay in the locked position until the tub is empty. The handle is on the outside of the door, away from the bather. See how the U shape door works.
4. On the Lounger, the outside handle can be removed. Ask the team whether that approach suits your model and your household.
5. For a bather with dementia or a child in the home, consider which door direction and which tub style suit the household. The assisted bathing tubs comparison describes the models designed for caregiver-operated bathing.

When to Open a Ticket

There is no factory child lock or alarm accessory for the door, but the team is glad to talk through options for your household. Contact your Ella dealer or the team at (800) 480-6850, or open a ticket at ellasbubbles.com/support, with your model and serial number, which door style you have, and a description of who operates the door and how. If a door was opened while full, include photos so the team can check that the door and seal were not damaged.

Common Questions