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Caring for Your Door Seal: Cleaning, Reseating, and Replacing the Gasket

Updated September 2026

▶Glossary7
  1. Routine Seal Care
  2. When Your Tub First Arrives
  3. Re-Securing a Loose Seal
  4. Replacing the Gasket, Step by Step
  5. Requesting a Replacement Seal
  6. Related Guides
  7. Common Questions

Caring for your walk-in tub door seal comes down to three habits: keep it clean, keep the door open when the tub is not in use, and reseat or replace the gasket the correct way if it ever comes loose. Your door seal is a silicone gasket seated in a channel around the door, and it is covered by our Lifetime Limited Warranty along with the door itself. It has no scheduled replacement interval and normally stays watertight for years. Everything below comes straight from our technical support videos.

Routine Seal Care

Ella's Bubbles: Proper Door Seal Maintenance, Inward and Outward Swing Doors
Chapters in this video
  1. 0:00 Clean Your Door Seal Regularly The video explains how to clean the door seal and frame to prevent leaks and debris buildup.
  2. 0:38 Replacing a Loose Door Seal The video demonstrates how to replace a loose or damaged door seal by applying a thin bead of silicone to the gasket channel.
  3. 1:02 Adding Silicone to Inward Doors The video shows how to add a bead of silicone to the corner of the gasket where it meets the frame on inward swing doors.
  4. 1:23 Extend Gasket Life The video recommends leaving the walk-in tub door slightly open when not in use to extend the gasket's flexibility and life.

Watch: Ella's Bubbles: Proper Door Seal Maintenance-Inward and Outward Swing Doors with chapters and a full transcript.

  1. Clean the seal itself on a regular basis with a common household cleaner, keeping it free of any debris.
  2. Clean the door frame regularly too. Residue that is allowed to build up on either surface can lead to door leaks, and debris left in the seal or in the frame can also cause leaks.
  3. On inward-swing doors, wipe down both the gasket and the inner frame the same way.
  4. Leave your walk-in tub door open, at least slightly, whenever the tub is not in use. This prevents unnecessary compression of the gasket and extends its flexibility and life.

The maintenance video covers both inward and outward doors: cleaning the seal and the frame, why residue causes leaks, how a loose gasket is secured with silicone, the inward-door variation, and the rule to leave the door slightly open. The everyday cleaning routine for the rest of the tub is in our month-by-month cleaning guide.

Close-up of an open stainless steel walk-in tub door showing the frosted glass panel and the U-shaped seal channel
The gasket seats in a channel around the door. Keep both the gasket and the frame it closes onto clean.

When Your Tub First Arrives

During shipping and storage, the silicone seal can stick to the frame or look slightly deformed. That is normal and easy to restore: squeeze the seal with your fingertips and gently pull it away from the door frame so it relaxes back into shape with the door open, then clean it with rubbing alcohol. The installer's warranty checklist includes cleaning the seal with rubbing alcohol and confirming the door is watertight after a 20-minute fill. Our first-bath checklist puts that step alongside the initial vinegar flush.

Re-Securing a Loose Seal

In the rare instance that a seal becomes loose, it can be secured before it needs replacing:

  1. Remove the gasket from its channel.
  2. Place a thin bead of silicone into the gasket channel.
  3. Allow the silicone to set up for 20 minutes before reinserting the gasket.
  4. Wait 24 hours for the silicone to dry before using the tub.

On inward-swing doors you can reinforce the seal without removing it: roll the seal gasket away from the frame and run a bead of silicone down the corner where the gasket meets the frame, add a bead to the other side of the gasket if necessary, and wait 24 hours to dry. The silicone the team names for this is GE Advanced Silicone 2 Kitchen and Bath, clear. A thin bead only, and never over the sealing face of the gasket.

Replacing the Gasket, Step by Step

How To Install a Walk-In Tub Door Seal (Step-By-Step)
Chapters in this video
  1. 0:00 Replacing a Walk-In Tub Gasket Replacing your walk-in tub door gasket is a simple process that ensures a watertight fit.
  2. 0:19 Applying Adhesive Remover The technician sprays adhesive remover onto the gasket to help it slide easily into the door channel.
  3. 0:35 Making Relief Cuts The technician uses diagonal cutters to make V-shaped relief cuts on the gasket at the curved sections of the door.
  4. 1:02 Inner Curve Cuts For the inner curves where the door bends inward, the technician makes straight vertical cuts.
  5. 1:21 Finishing the Gasket Installation The technician makes a small angled cut at the end point so the gasket slightly overlaps and is fully inserted into the groove.

Replacing the door gasket is easier than it looks. With the right tools, adhesive remover spray, a spatula, and diagonal cutters, and a few well-placed cuts, you will have a watertight fit: Watch: How To Install a Walk-In Tub Door Seal (Step-By-Step) with chapters and a full transcript.

  1. Spray adhesive remover onto the new gasket to help it slide more easily into the door channel.
  2. Using the spatula, gently press the gasket into the groove until it is fully seated.
  3. At the curved sections of the door, use the diagonal cutters to make four V-shaped relief cuts on the gasket where it bends around the outer edge. Make the cuts above the gasket reach line, as shown in the video.
  4. For the inner curves, where the door bends inward, make straight vertical cuts instead.
  5. Continue applying adhesive remover and guiding the gasket into place with the spatula until you reach the end.
  6. At the end point, make a small angled cut so the tip of the gasket slightly overlaps but is fully inserted into the groove.

Then lock the door, fill to a normal bathing level, and watch the seal line for 20 minutes before the first bath. The LayDown glass door uses its own seal and its own clip, covered in our seal installation video guide, including the LayDown door.

Close-up of the chrome hinges and tempered glass inward swing door seal on an Ella LayDown walk-in tub
The LayDown glass door seal is a different part from the walk-in tub gasket. Mention your model and serial number when you request one.

Requesting a Replacement Seal

Replacement seals are matched to your exact tub, so have your serial number ready when you contact us. You will find it on the label located behind the magnetic access panel next to the door; our article on finding your model and serial numbers shows every location. Open a ticket at ellasbubbles.com/support with your serial number, photos of the seal showing where it is coming out of the groove or where the water appears, and where the tub was purchased, and the team will verify the part and get it on its way; the door seal is a Lifetime Limited Warranty part. One care condition to know: the door and door seal warranty is valid only while the door alignment is correct and has not been changed by applying the bather's weight on the door, so please never lean on the door.

Common Questions

How often should I clean the door seal, and with what?
Regularly, as part of normal tub cleaning. A common household cleaner or rubbing alcohol on a soft cloth is all it needs, and wipe the door frame at the same time. One owner found that grit on the seal was the whole cause of a leak; a quick wipe before each bath stopped it.
Should I leave the door open or closed when the tub is not in use?
Leave your walk-in tub door slightly open when the tub is not in use. This prevents unnecessary compression of the silicone gasket, which can weaken its flexibility and life over time. If your door has been kept shut and started to leak, leave it open for about a day before refilling the tub to allow the gasket to reform.
Which silicone should I use to secure a loose gasket?
Use GE Advanced Silicone 2 Kitchen and Bath, clear, to secure a loose gasket. Apply a thin bead of this silicone into the gasket channel only, never over the sealing face of the gasket. Allow the silicone to set up for 20 minutes before reinserting the gasket, and wait 24 hours for it to dry completely before using the tub.
The seal on my new tub looks flattened or stuck. Is it damaged?
A flattened or stuck silicone seal on a new tub is usually not damaged; it is normal during shipping and storage. To restore it, squeeze the seal with your fingertips and gently pull it away from the door frame so it relaxes back into shape with the door open. Then, clean it with rubbing alcohol and perform the 20-minute fill test to confirm it is watertight.
Do door seals need replacing on a schedule?
No, door seals do not need replacing on a schedule as there is no published replacement interval. The silicone gasket normally stays watertight for years. Replacement is only necessary if the seal is actually torn, permanently deformed, or will not stay in its channel, and this condition is verified with photos.
Is there a lubricant or spray for the seal?
No lubricant or spray product is published or needed for a clean door seal. If your seal feels sticky, clean it regularly with a common household cleaner or rubbing alcohol, keeping it free of any debris. If the issue persists, ask the support team before applying anything to it.
Does the replacement procedure apply to outward-swing doors too?
The maintenance video covers seal care for both inward and outward-swing doors. Before replacing an outward-door seal, contact the support team to confirm which video applies to your specific door model. After replacement, ensure the handle orientation is correct.
Where do I find my serial number for the seal request?
You will find your serial number on the label located behind the magnetic access panel next to the door, on the seat side of the front apron. This serial number typically begins with the letter M. Having your serial number ready ensures you receive the correct replacement seal for your exact tub.
My installer said to spray hairspray on the gasket to stop a leak. Is that right?
No. Never spray hairspray or any product on the door seal; it deteriorates the rubber. Clean it only with soap and water or a wipe of rubbing alcohol. If the seal was compressed for a long time, leave the door open about 24 hours so it can re form, then check it sits in its groove all the way around without a kink or a corner sticking out.
Should the door be left locked or unlocked when the tub sits unused for months?
Unlatched, so there is no pressure on the seal. An outward door will swing open under gravity, so latch it lightly rather than fully compressing the seal if it is in the way. A seal that sat compressed for months usually recovers after a day open; keep the door covered during construction so the seal is not deformed.
I replaced the handle and cleaned everything, and I can still see light at the bottom of the closed door. What now?
Once the handle and the channel have been checked, visible light or a gap at the bottom of a closed inward door means the translucent silicone bulb seal is due for replacement. Send photos of the gap and your serial number through ellasbubbles.com/support and the team will match the seal.
Are the door hinge and the tub's drain located on the same side of the tub?
No, the door hinge and the tub's drain are located on opposite sides of the tub. For example, a walk-in tub with the door on the right side will have its drain on the left, as you face the tub ready to step in. Conversely, a tub with the door on the left side will have its drain on the right.
Can a walk-in tub be ordered with either an inward or outward swinging door?
Yes, Ella walk-in tubs are available with both inward-swinging and outward-swinging doors, including an L-shaped outward-swing door option. Ask your Ella dealer or the team at (800) 480-6850 which swing direction fits your model and bathroom layout.
Does the Monaco walk-in tub have an inward-swinging or an outward-swinging door?
The Monaco features an outward-swinging door. Like the rest of that outward-swing family, its door is built from a plastic composite and tempered glass with a 3-latch gear-and-shaft mechanism, not the stainless-steel inward-swing door used on other models.
Do Ella walk-in tubs come with a glass door or an acrylic door?
Ella walk-in tubs are offered with both glass and acrylic doors across the product lineup. To confirm which door type comes on your specific model, please check with your Ella dealer. You can also call the support team to verify the door type for your tub.
Why might my walk-in tub door be leaking even though everything looks fine?
A leaking door is usually caused by one of two things: the handle not pulling the door tight enough against the seal, or an issue with the seal itself, such as debris, a loose fit, or damage. Start by checking that the handle closes the door firmly and that the seal sits evenly in its channel all the way around. If the leak continues after checking both, open a ticket at ellasbubbles.com/support with photos and your serial number so the team can help identify the cause.
Can I use a generic or universal door seal on my Ella walk-in tub?
No, Ella's Bubbles door seals are proprietary and made to fit Ella's Bubbles tubs specifically, so a generic or universal seal will not give you a proper watertight fit. Always request a replacement seal matched to your exact model and serial number through ellasbubbles.com/support or by calling (800) 480-6850.
Does an outward-swing door need extra clearance in front of the tub?
Yes. The U-shaped acrylic outward-swing door opens out into the bathroom, so you need clear space in front of the tub for the door to swing fully open. An inward-swing door opens into the tub itself and does not need that clearance. Ask your Ella dealer or the team at (800) 480-6850 to confirm the swing direction that fits your bathroom layout.
How does the inward-swing door differ in appearance from the outward-swing door?
The inward-swing door has a stainless steel frame and a modern look. The outward-swing option is a U-shaped acrylic door that also looks modern, but it requires room in front of the tub to open outward. Both styles use the same care routine for the seal and frame described above.
Is a small scuff mark on the inside of the door considered a defect?
On some tubs, a small scuff mark on the inside of the door is considered a defect rather than normal wear. If you notice one, open a ticket at ellasbubbles.com/support with clear photos of the mark, your serial number, and where the tub was purchased so the team can review it. They will let you know whether it qualifies for attention under your warranty.
Do most people find it easier to enter and exit the tub with an outward-swinging door?
Yes, most people find it easier to get in and out of the tub when the door swings open outward, since the door does not take up space inside the tub while it opens. Both inward-swinging and outward-swinging doors are available on Ella's Bubbles tubs. Ask your Ella dealer or the team at (800) 480-6850 to help you decide which swing direction best suits your bathroom layout.
Is there enough space to close an inward-swinging door while seated in the tub?
Yes, there is plenty of room for an inward-swinging door, and you can simply move your knees to allow the door to swing closed. This makes the inward-swing design a practical option even when exterior bathroom clearance is limited. Contact your Ella dealer or the team at (800) 480-6850 if you have questions about clearance for your specific model.
Does the Relax model come with an inward-swinging or outward-swinging door?
The Relax model comes with an inward-swinging door. Inward-swing doors open into the tub itself rather than out into the bathroom, which can be useful in bathrooms with limited exterior space.
Is the door on the Ella Royal model made of stainless steel?
Yes, the Ella Royal model has a stainless steel door. Stainless steel doors are used on Ella's inward-swing tub models, while some outward-swing models, such as the Monaco, use a plastic composite and tempered glass door instead.
When is an outward-swing door recommended instead of an inward-swing door?
An outward-swing door is recommended when your bathroom has more available space, since the door swings out into the room instead of into the tub. If your bathroom is tighter, an inward-swing door may be the better fit because it does not require extra clearance in front of the tub. Ask your Ella dealer or the team at (800) 480-6850 which swing direction suits your bathroom layout.
Can a walk-in tub be ordered with a left-hand or right-hand door?
Yes, Ella walk-in tubs can be ordered with a left or right-hand door. Your Ella dealer or the team at (800) 480-6850 can help you choose the hand that fits your model and bathroom layout.
How many latches does an outward-swing door like the Capri have?
Out-swing doors on models like the Capri have three latches. One latch sits on the bottom of the door and two sit on the sides.
Do I need to wait for the tub to drain before opening an inward-swing door?
Yes. With an inward-swinging door, the bather waits until the tub is fully drained before exiting. Once the water is gone, the door can be opened and you can step out safely.
Does the Deluxe walk-in tub have an inward-swinging door?
Yes, the Deluxe tub has an inward-swinging door. If you are unsure which swing direction your own tub has, your Ella dealer or the team at (800) 480-6850 can confirm it for you.

For anything specific to your model or serial number, open a ticket at ellasbubbles.com/support or call (800) 480-6850, and please attach photos so the team can help you quickly.

About this guide. Answers in the Ella’s Bubbles Support Center are compiled from real conversations with tub owners, our technicians’ notes and the product documentation, then reviewed by our team. Tub models and options have evolved over the years, so a detail here may differ slightly from your exact tub. If something looks different on yours, send us your serial number and a specialist will confirm it for your model.

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