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Is the Flexible Drain Hose Still Available? The PVC Elbow That Replaced It

▶Glossary8
  1. What Replaced the Flex Drain
  2. Which Elbow Fits Your Tub
  3. Replacing the Elbow
  4. Why Elbows Crack
  5. Warranty and Ordering
  6. Related Guides
  7. Common Questions
  8. Still Need Help?

The flexible drain hose is no longer supplied for Ella walk-in tubs, and neither is the older PVC p-trap drain connection. Both were replaced by a standard 90-degree PVC drain elbow with a gasket that connects to the brass drain under the tub. Your plumber then continues the drain line from that elbow in ordinary PVC to the house drain. Replacement elbows are available through the support team, and the LayDown tubs use their own PVC elbow made for that model.

What Replaced the Flex Drain

Earlier tubs shipped with a flexible drain connection that let the installer snake the line to the house drain. Ella's Bubbles moved to a rigid PVC elbow because it connects to the drain with a gasket and then accepts standard PVC fittings. There is nothing proprietary past the elbow, so your plumber can finish the run with parts from any plumbing supplier, including a reducer when the house plumbing is 1.5 inches. See connecting the 2 inch tub drain to 1.5 inch house plumbing for that transition.

Which Elbow Fits Your Tub

Most Ella walk-in tubs use the same PVC drain elbow with gasket, and replacement elbows are commonly requested in pairs so both drain connections under the tub are renewed at the same time. The LayDown walk-in tubs are the exception. The part offered for them is a PVC elbow designed specifically for the LayDown, so mention the model when you order. If the drain lever or pop-up mechanism also needs attention, tell the support team at the same time so everything ships together.

Replacing the Elbow

  1. Have your model and serial number ready and contact the support team to request the PVC drain elbows. Say how many you need and whether the tub is a LayDown.
  2. Once the parts arrive, have a licensed plumber remove the old elbow or flexible connection from the brass drain.
  3. Fit the new elbow with its gasket and tighten it snugly without forcing it. Excess force can crack a PVC fitting.
  4. Continue the drain line in standard PVC to the house drain, keeping the run supported so no weight or side load rests on the elbow.
  5. Fill the tub, drain it, and check every joint while the water is running out.

Why Elbows Crack

An elbow that cracks or drips is usually carrying strain from a drain line that pulls or pushes against it. Supporting the pipe and letting the fittings sit without tension protects the new part, and one customer resolved a repeat leak simply by relieving the strain on the elbow connections at the final connection to the house drain. More detail on causes and the matching replacement is in why the drain elbow cracked and what replaces it, and if the leak only appears while the water is leaving the tub, start with why the tub leaks only when draining. General drain-line leaks are covered in leaks at the drain elbow or drain pipe.

Warranty and Ordering

The waste and overflow are part of the lifetime limited parts warranty for the original owner at the original installation address, so a defective elbow is replaced after the support team verifies the claim with photos, a description of the problem, and your serial number. Elbows damaged during installation, or ordered for a tub outside the warranty terms, can be purchased through the support team. Ella's Bubbles does not send technicians. The part ships to you, and a local licensed plumber does the work. Shipping details for parts are in replacement part shipping and tracking.

Common Questions

Can I still get the flexible drain hose for my tub?
No. The flexible drain is discontinued, along with the older PVC p-trap connection. The current replacement is a 90-degree PVC elbow with gasket that connects to the drain and lets your plumber continue the line in standard PVC.
Can my plumber use a hardware store elbow instead?
The elbow that connects to the brass drain is an Ella part with its own gasket, so order it through the support team. Everything downstream of that elbow is standard PVC and can come from any plumbing supplier.
Do I need one elbow or two for my walk-in tub?
Most customers replace both drain elbows at the same time, and the support team commonly ships them in pairs. Tell the team how many you need and whether the tub is a LayDown model.
Is the drain elbow covered by the warranty?
The waste and overflow are part of the lifetime limited parts warranty for the original owner at the original address. Send photos, a description, and your serial number through ellasbubbles.com/support so the claim can be verified before the part ships.
Does the LayDown tub use the same drain elbow?
No. The LayDown walk-in tubs use a PVC elbow made specifically for that model, so mention that your tub is a LayDown when you request the part.

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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