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Video Tour: How Your Tub Is Assembled, Tested, Packed and Shipped From Chicago

Updated September 2026

▶Glossary8
  1. Quality Control: From Unboxing to the Invoice Check
  2. Packaging: How the Tub Is Protected in the Crate
  3. The Company Behind the Tub
  4. What Is Under the Deck?
  5. See It Live
  6. Related Guides
  7. Related Videos
  8. Common Questions

Yes, every Ella's Bubbles walk-in tub is inspected, assembled to your order, leak-tested, run through its pumps and mechanical systems, cleaned, wrapped and crated in Chicago before it ships. This video tour of how Ella builds, tests and packs your tub takes you onto the production floor to show the quality-control process, the packaging that protects a hand-built tub in transit, and the company behind it. Each video is followed by a written walkthrough, so you can read the process even if you cannot watch.

Quality Control: From Unboxing to the Invoice Check

Walk-In Tub Quality Control and Testing
Chapters in this video
  1. 0:00 Initial Inspection and Unboxing Each Ella's Bubbles walk-in tub is unboxed, and its surface is inspected for any shipping damage.
  2. 0:22 Rigorous Testing and Quality Checks The assembled tub undergoes extensive testing for leaks, pump function, and the integrity of all mechanical systems, doors, latches, locks, and seals.
  3. 0:43 Final Cleaning and Packaging After passing inspections, the tub is cleaned, dried, and prepared for boxing, with accessories individually wrapped.
  4. 1:17 Re-wrapping and Shipping Preparation The tub is re-wrapped in protective plastic and bubble wrap, and important installation paperwork is attached before secure mounting in its shipping case.
  5. 1:51 Invoice Verification and Shipment The individual invoice is double-checked and copied to ensure accurate records before the Ella's Bubbles walk-in tub is shipped to its destination.

The video follows one tub through the Chicago warehouse. The process it shows is: Watch: Ella's Bubbles: Walk-In Tub Quality Control and Testing with chapters and a full transcript.

  1. Unboxing and first inspection. When the shell arrives at the warehouse it is unboxed, the protective plastic is removed, and the entire surface is inspected for scratches or other shipping damage.
  2. Assembly to order. The tub is built to your configuration: therapy package, pumps, faucet set, door side and options.
  3. Leak test. The assembled tub is checked thoroughly for leaks.
  4. Pumps and systems run. The pumps and all mechanical systems are run extensively.
  5. Doors, latches, locks and seals. Each is checked to confirm it is tight and leak-proof.
  6. Second cosmetic check and cleaning. The tub is checked again for scratches or dents, then thoroughly cleaned and dried.
  7. Labels and accessories. Directions and warning labels are attached, and handles, spigots, drains and other accessories are individually wrapped and boxed.
  8. Wrap. After one more check for scratches or damage the tub is re-wrapped in protective plastic and bubble wrap.
  9. Paperwork and crate. Installation paperwork is attached to the tub, the shipping case is securely mounted, and caution stickers are applied.
  10. Invoice verification. Your invoice is double-checked and copied so there is a perfect record of which tub you have and where it is going. Only then is the tub released to ship.

A companion video from the same series notes that Ella's Bubbles runs an independent quality-control team, and that testing includes filling the tub with water and running the motors for several hours along with mechanical, electrical and water tests, so the tub arrives ready to install. The article on how Ella tubs are built explains the acrylic shell, fiberglass reinforcement and stainless frame that the technicians are working with.

Ella's Bubbles technician assembling the pump and air lines on a walk-in tub in the Chicago workshop
Pumps, air lines and controls are fitted to each tub's configuration in Chicago.

Packaging: How the Tub Is Protected in the Crate

Superior Walk-In Tub Packaging
Chapters in this video
  1. 0:00 The Importance of Packaging The video explains why proper packaging is crucial for safe walk-in tub delivery.
  2. 0:36 Ella's Bubbles Shipping Care The video highlights the extra care and expense Ella's Bubbles puts into shipping its bathtubs.
  3. 1:40 Corrugated Box or Plywood Crate The video details the two robust shipping options for Ella's Bubbles walk-in tubs: a five-piece corrugated box or a half-inch plywood crate.
  4. 2:01 Custom Shipping Skids The video demonstrates how Ella's Bubbles builds custom skids to support each bathtub model during shipping.

Watch: Superior Walk-In Tub Packaging for Damage Free Delivery with chapters and a full transcript.

This video is filmed by a dealer walking through the packaging on a finished tub. It shows the two ways an Ella tub travels: a multi-piece corrugated box built from thick, heavy-gauge corrugated material, or a half-inch plywood crate that is cut, assembled and tacked together around the tub. In both cases the skid is wrapped in a layer of plywood to protect it from forklift tines and terminal handling. The skid itself is custom-built for the tub model, with additional layers positioned exactly where each foot of the tub rests, so the tub is supported and does not bounce during transit. The dealer's point is simple: a hand-built tub gets the same care in shipping as it did on the floor.

When your tub arrives, inspect it carefully on delivery, keep all of the packaging material, and report any damage or missing parts within 48 hours of receipt, including concealed damage found during a visual and operational inspection. The articles on preparing for delivery day and filing a freight damage claim walk through the inspection step by step.

Close-up of the stainless steel door frame and chrome hardware on an Ella walk-in tub during warehouse quality inspection
Door frames, latches and hardware are checked before the tub is wrapped.

The Company Behind the Tub

The Best Walk-In Tubs In The Industry
Chapters in this video
  1. 0:00 Ella's Bubbles Company Overview Ella's Bubbles, a family-owned business since 2005, provides expert advice and solutions for walk-in tubs.
  2. 0:17 Manufacturing and Global Reach Ella's Bubbles tubs are assembled, jetted, and tested in Chicago, with facilities serving markets worldwide.
  3. 1:09 Virtual Showroom and Consultations Customers can access a live video virtual showroom for personalized consultations with Ella's Bubbles team members.
  4. 1:57 Product Documentation and Quality Ella's Bubbles documents every product detail with photos and videos, emphasizing quality and customer satisfaction.

Watch: The Best Walk-In Tubs In The Industry with chapters and a full transcript.

The video introduces Ella's Bubbles as a Chicago-based, family-owned and family-run business since 2005. Tubs are assembled, jetted and rigorously tested in the Chicago production facility, which serves the US and Canadian markets, and the company describes additional facilities that serve other regions of the world. The video also describes the live video virtual showroom, where a team member walks you through the tubs on a real-time video call, and the in-house photo and video department that documents every product for the website and the YouTube channel. The article on where Ella tubs are made covers this in more detail.

What Is Under the Deck?

A behind-the-tub tour from the same dealer series shows what an installer sees when the access panels come off: bundled and routed air and water lines, tidy glue joints, and grounding straps from the manufacturer so every metal component is grounded. It also explains why the Auto Purge system matters on a jetted tub. With that many lines under the deck, the purge cycle blows leftover water out of the air lines after each bath to prevent mold, mildew and bacteria, so the lines are dry the next time you turn the tub on. The article on the Auto-Purge air cleaning cycle explains what to expect at home.

See It Live

If you would like to watch tubs being assembled and tested in real time, the team offers live video tours from the production facility and showroom, and you are welcome to visit Chicago by appointment. The article on seeing a tub in person or on a live video tour explains how to schedule one.

Video
Chapters in this video
  1. 0:00 Ella's Bubbles Company Overview Ella's Bubbles, a family-owned business since 2005, provides expert advice and solutions for walk-in tubs.
  2. 0:42 Walk-In Tub Production Process Ella's Bubbles walk-in tubs are assembled, jetted, and thoroughly tested by skilled craftsmen in Chicago.
  3. 0:55 Innovative Tub Design Features Ella's Bubbles offers eight product lines with superior design, innovative jetting, and dual drain technology for comfort.
  4. 2:05 Luxurious Bathing Accessories Ella's Bubbles offers a variety of accessories, including MicroBubble therapy, chromotherapy, and ozone sterilization, to enhance the bathing experience.

Watch: Industry-Leading Luxury Walk-In Tubs Built for Safety and Comfort with chapters and a full transcript.

Common Questions

Is every tub tested before it ships?
Yes, every tub goes through the same quality-control sequence in Chicago before it is released to ship. The assembled tub is leak-tested, its pumps and all mechanical systems are run, and the door, latches, locks and seals are checked to confirm they are tight and leak-proof. Only after a second cosmetic check, a thorough cleaning and an invoice verification is the tub wrapped and crated.
What is inspected before packing?
The shell surface is inspected for scratches, dents or shipping damage when it is unboxed and again after assembly. The technicians then check the assembled tub for leaks, run the pumps and mechanical systems, and confirm that the door, latches, locks and seals are tight. As a final step, your invoice is double-checked against the finished tub so there is a clear record of which tub you have and where it is going.
How is the tub protected in the crate?
The finished tub is re-wrapped in protective plastic and bubble wrap, and the handles, spigots, drains and other accessories are individually wrapped and boxed. It then rides on a skid custom-built for the model, with additional layers positioned under each foot so the tub is supported and does not bounce in transit, and the skid is wrapped in plywood to guard against forklift tines and terminal handling. The outer packaging is either a thick, multi-piece corrugated box or a half-inch plywood crate assembled around the tub, with caution stickers applied.
Where is the tub built, and which markets does Chicago serve?
Ella's Bubbles tubs are assembled, jetted and rigorously tested in the company's production facility in Chicago, Illinois. That facility serves the US and Canadian markets, and the company describes additional facilities that serve other regions of the world. The article on where Ella tubs are made covers this in more detail.
Does the tub ship assembled?
Yes, the tub arrives fully assembled and tested, built to your configuration of therapy package, pumps, faucet set, door side and options. Before moving it, your installer removes the front apron, access panels and end panels, and lifts the tub only by the frame. Inspect the tub carefully on delivery, keep all of the packaging material, and report any damage within 48 hours of receipt.
Where are the drains, handles and small parts packed?
Handles, spigots, drains and other accessories are individually wrapped and boxed during packing, and the installation paperwork is attached to the tub itself. Those boxes are placed inside the tub or under the frame, so please check both places before reporting anything missing. If a part still cannot be found, report it within 48 hours of receipt as described in the delivery-day article above.
Can I watch my own tub being built?
Yes, the team offers live video tours from the production facility and showroom, where you can watch tubs being assembled and tested in real time, and you are welcome to visit Chicago by appointment. You can schedule a tour at ellasbubbles.com/walk-in-tub/schedule-showroom-tour/ or by calling (800) 480-6850. The article on seeing a tub in person or on a live video tour explains what to expect.
How long does the build take for my order?
Build timing depends on the model, the options selected and current stock, so there is no single answer that applies to every order. The team confirms production and delivery timing for your specific order once they have your details. Open a ticket at ellasbubbles.com/support with your order information, or ask your Ella dealer, and they will let you know where things stand.

For anything model-specific, open a ticket at ellasbubbles.com/support and the team will confirm the details for your order.

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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