Draining to a Washing Machine Box or a Drain Higher Than the Tub: Why Gravity Drains Need a Pump
Updated September 2026
Ella walk-in tubs drain by gravity alone. There is no drain pump anywhere in the tub, so water can only flow downward from the drain outlets and can never climb to a connection that sits higher than those outlets. If the only drain available is a washing machine connection box or any other connection above the level of the tub's drain outlets, your plumber will need to add a pump to push the water up to it. Where the house drain is at or below the outlets, the standard gravity connection works with no pump at all.
Why the Tub Uses Gravity Instead of a Pump
A gravity drain has no motor to fail and needs no power. If the electricity goes out during a bath, the tub still drains and you can still exit safely. Under ideal conditions, the fast-drain system empties the tub in less than 2 minutes, and the port layout behind that speed is explained in what Dual Drain Technology is. Powered drains can be quicker, but they stress house plumbing and stop working when power is lost, which is why Ella does not build one in. Typical fill and drain times are covered in drainage and fill time.
When a Higher Connection Is the Only Option
A washing machine box usually sits well above floor level, while the tub's drain outlets sit low, below the footwell described in what the footwell is. Water will not travel uphill on its own, so a pump becomes part of the house plumbing rather than part of the tub. Your plumber selects and installs it based on the lift, the length of the run, and local code. Ella recommends consulting your plumber to accommodate this type of drain installation, so have that conversation before the tub is delivered, and ask whether bringing a floor-level drain to the tub location is the simpler answer for your home.
Planning the Drain Connection
- Locate the house drain you intend to use and note its height relative to the floor where the tub will sit.
- Remember that the drains are on the opposite side of the tub from the door. A right-side door puts the drains on the left, and a left-side door puts them on the right, as you face the tub.
- If the house drain is at or below the tub's drain outlets, plan a standard gravity connection. Two of the four ports are commonly connected, or all four, to a 1 1/2 inch to 2 inch house drain. See whether a 1.5 inch house drain works with the 2 inch tub drain and connecting the 2 inch tub drain to 1.5 inch house plumbing.
- If the only drain is higher than the outlets, ask your plumber to either run a floor-level drain to the tub location or design a pumped connection.
- Have the plumber verify that the house drain flows freely before installation day, since drain speed depends on it.
Other drain and fitting questions that come up at this stage are answered in common plumbing questions.
Related Guides
- Plumbing and drain configurations: connecting your walk-in tub to the house drain
- Why Doesn't the Overflow on My Tub Drain?
- Tub Drains Slowly, Will Not Drain, or Loses Water: What to Check
Related Videos
Chapters in this video
- 0:00 Dual Drain Technology Overview The video introduces Ella's Bubbles dual 2-inch, four-port drain system and its connection to a house drain.
- 0:20 Live Drain Demonstration A live demonstration shows water flowing through the dual 2-inch, four-port drains.
- 0:39 Drain Setup Images Actual images display a drain setup before and after the installation of the dual drain system.
- 1:01 House Drain Connection Options The video explains recommended house drain connections and how installers determine the best setup.
- 1:27 Easy Turn Drain Handles The easy turn drain handles are shown, which also function as dual air vents to maximize water outflow.
- 1:40 Single Drain and Gravity Driven System Some tubs feature an oversized single drain with emergency pull chain, and the gravity-driven system is highlighted.
Chapters in this video
- 0:00 Ella's Bubbles Dual Drain System The technician explains the advantages of Ella's Bubbles' two two-inch drain system for fast draining.
- 1:20 Competitor's Power Drain System The technician describes a competitor's power drain system, highlighting issues with water overflowing back into the tub.
- 3:20 Another Competitor's Drain System The technician discusses a competitor's standard waste gate overflow and another's single oversized drain.
- 3:55 Ella's Bubbles 4-Port Dual Drain The technician explains how Ella's Bubbles' 4-port dual drain system offers maximum versatility for plumbing installation.
Common Questions
Does the tub have a pump for faster draining?
Can I drain the tub into a washing machine box?
What happens to the drain during a power outage?
Do I have to connect all four drain ports?
Which side of the tub are the drains on?
Still Need Help?
Open a ticket at ellasbubbles.com/support or call (800) 480-6850 and have your model and serial number ready.
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