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How Does a Walk-In Tub Work and How Do You Use It?

Updated September 2026

▶Glossary7
  1. Using the Tub from Start to Finish
  2. What Powers It
  3. Who Installs and Connects It
  4. Keeping the Jets Clean
  5. Related Guides
  6. Related Videos
  7. Common Questions

A walk-in tub works in a fixed order: you step in through the door, close and seal it, sit down, and then fill the tub; when the bath is over you drain it completely and open the door to step out. On an Ella tub the faucet fills at about 16 gallons per minute and the tub drains by gravity through 2 inch drains, so the wait at each end is short, as explained in Drainage and Fill Time. The door, the therapies, the drain and the electrical hookup each have one simple job, described below.

Using the Tub from Start to Finish

  1. Open the door and step in. Depending on the model, the door is an inward-swing acrylic S-shape door, as on the Standard, Zen and Flow, or an outward-swing composite and tempered glass door held by a three-latch gear-and-shaft mechanism, as on the Capri, Monaco, Front Entry, Mobile, Lounger, Shak and Big4One.
  2. Close and lock the door before turning on the water. The door seals the opening so the tub can hold water with you inside it.
  3. Fill the tub with the faucet. At about 16 gallons per minute, a tub with a capacity of around 60 gallons fills quickly.
  4. Run your therapies. On the three-speed air massage push control, the first press is high speed, the second press is medium, the third press is low, and a fourth press turns the system off.
  5. Open the drain and wait for the tub to empty. Ella tubs drain by gravity rather than a pump, and models with the dual 2 inch drain typically empty in two minutes or less when connected to a proper 2 inch drain line.
  6. Open the door and step out. The door and the drains sit on opposite sides of the tub: a right-side door tub drains on the left and a left-side door tub drains on the right as you face the tub.

One thing surprises new owners. About 20 minutes after the air pump is turned off, the air system's Auto Purge starts on its own and runs for 120 seconds to blow residual water out of the air lines. It is fully automatic, cannot be stopped, and is normal even if it starts while you are still in the tub.

What Powers It

Ella walk-in tubs with pumps use two cords and two outlets. One cord ends in a standard household plug, and the control box cord ends in a 20 amp plug with one horizontal blade that fits only a 20 amp GFCI receptacle on a 20 amp line, as covered in T-Shaped Plug Does Not Fit the Outlet: The 20 Amp Plug on Your Walk-In Tub Cord. Every electrical component and the tub frame carry ground wires, and the short video below shows that a proper ground connection must be made following all local and state electrical codes.

Who Installs and Connects It

Ella builds the tub and does not install it or send technicians. A local licensed plumber and electrician remove the old tub, make the plumbing and electrical connections and set the new tub, and Ella gives that installer free technical support with spec sheets and electrical diagrams. If you do not have an installer, the team can introduce the partner installer closest to your address, as described in Does Ella Install the Tub? How to Get Connected With a Local Installer in Your Area.

Keeping the Jets Clean

Before first use and once a month, combine 2 cups of white vinegar with 2 cups of water, fill the tub with water to one inch above the highest jets, add the mixture, run the tub for 10 minutes, then drain. Flushing after every bath is not necessary.

Watch: Proper Grounding of Your Walk-In Tub with chapters and a full transcript.

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.
Chapters in this video
  1. 0:00 Activating Air Massage Speeds The video demonstrates how to gently push the button to cycle through high, medium, and low speeds for the air massage.
  2. 0:23 Understanding Auto-Purge Function The auto-purge function automatically activates 15 minutes after the air pumps are off and runs for 2 minutes to dry the lines.
  3. 0:50 Auto-Purge While Bathing The auto-purge may activate while a person is still bathing, which is normal and no cause for concern.
  4. 1:15 Gentle Button Operation It is important to push the buttons gently to avoid damaging the internal mechanism, and a palm push works for those with limited mobility.
Chapters in this video
  1. 0:00 Innovative Jetting Design Ella's Bubbles walk-in tubs feature unique jet placement for a comprehensive hydro massage experience.
  2. 0:15 Three Speed Air Massage Our tubs offer a three-speed air massage system, activated by digital or Easy Touch push buttons.
  3. 0:27 Auto Purge Technology The Auto Purge system activates 20 minutes after use, clearing moisture to prevent mold and mildew.

Common Questions

Do you have to sit in the tub while it fills and drains?
Yes, that is how every walk-in tub works, because the door must be sealed before water goes in and the tub must be empty before it opens. On an Ella tub the faucet fills at about 16 gallons per minute, and dual-drain models empty in two minutes or less on a proper 2 inch drain line.
Does a walk-in tub use a pump to drain the water?
No. Ella tubs drain by gravity, with water flowing straight down through the 2 inch drain openings and out of the tub. The drain speed depends on the tub being properly connected to a 2 inch drain line.
Why does the tub start blowing air after my bath is over?
That is the Auto Purge on the air massage system. It activates about 20 minutes after the air pump is turned off and runs for 120 seconds to clear residual water from the air lines. It cannot be stopped and is normal even if you are still in the tub.
How do I change the speed of the air massage?
Press the air massage button repeatedly. The first press is high speed, the second is medium, the third is low, and the fourth press turns the system off.
Who connects the plumbing and electrical on a walk-in tub?
A local licensed plumber and electrician do the work. Ella does not have installation crews and does not send technicians, but it supports your installer by phone, email and live video. The control box cord needs a 20 amp GFCI receptacle on a 20 amp line.

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