Support Center / Troubleshooting & Repairs / Adjusting Jet Pressure, Foot Jet Nozzles, and a Stiff Intensity Control Dial
Back to Troubleshooting & Repairs

Adjusting Jet Pressure, Foot Jet Nozzles, and a Stiff Intensity Control Dial

Updated September 2026

▶Glossary6
  1. What the Intensity Control Dial Does
  2. Adjusting or Closing a Foot Jet
  3. Fixing a Stiff Intensity Control Dial
  4. When Adjustment Is Not Enough
  5. Related Guides
  6. Common Questions

Adjusting jet pressure on an Ella walk-in tub takes three simple controls: the intensity control dial on the deck sets the overall strength of the hydro massage, each foot jet nozzle can be opened, reduced or closed by hand, and a dial that feels stiff is usually freed in a few minutes by clearing excess silicone. Every Ella tub with hydro massage has the dial, so if the jets feel too strong, too weak or the dial will not turn, the fix is almost always one of the three adjustments below rather than a pump problem.

What the Intensity Control Dial Does

Ella Walk-In Tub Hydro Massage Intensity Control Dial

Watch: Walk-In Tub With Hydro Massage Control Dial – Customize Your Comfort with a full transcript.

Whether you start the hydro massage with the easy touch buttons or the digital touchpad, all Ella walk-in tubs with hydro massage include an intensity control dial on the deck. Turning the dial up introduces more air into the jet stream for a stronger flow, and turning it down reduces the air for a gentler, softer flow. The dial is an air control on an air hose, not an electrical control, so it does not change pump speed; it changes how much air is mixed into the water. A change in how the jets feel after someone turns the dial is not a malfunction, so before troubleshooting weak jets, check where the dial is set. Tubs with independent foot massage have a second dial for the foot and calf jets, so check both.

Hand turning the chrome intensity control dial on an Ella walk-in tub deck beside the Air and Water push buttons
The chrome intensity dial sits on the deck next to the push controls; turn it up for a stronger massage and down for a gentler one.

Adjusting or Closing a Foot Jet

How to Adjust the Foot Jet Nozzle on an Ella Walk-In Tub
Chapters in this video
  1. 0:00 Adjusting Hydro Jet Pressure The technician demonstrates how to adjust the pressure of a hydro jet by turning its center nozzle.
  2. 0:21 Loosening Butterfly Handles If the center nozzle is difficult to turn, the technician shows how to loosen the butterfly handles using pliers.
  3. 0:48 Ensuring Valve Is Open To ensure the valve is fully open, the technician removes the jet and aligns its half-cut opening with the internal hole.
  4. 1:20 Securing the Jet The technician tightens the nut for the jet to secure it in place, preventing the nozzle from turning.

If the pressure at a foot jet feels too strong or too weak, you can adjust it at the jet itself. The center nozzle of the foot jet is a valve, and turning it opens or closes the jet. Watch: How to Adjust to Hydro Jets in Your Walk-In Tub? with chapters and a full transcript.

  1. Turn the center nozzle left or right to increase, reduce, or shut off the flow at that jet.
  2. If the nozzle is too hard to turn, loosen the butterfly handles behind it. A pair of channel type pliers seated on the butterfly gives you the leverage for a gentle turn, which releases the center nozzle so it turns freely.
  3. To confirm the valve is fully open, remove the jet from the inside. The jet has a half cut opening, and inside the fitting there is a hole where the water comes out. Line up the open side of the jet with that hole.
  4. Tighten the jet nut again so it is secure and the nozzle stays where you set it.

The same rotating face lets you aim a jet away from a sore spot or close a seat jet that sits in an uncomfortable position. Replacement jet faces and covers are covered in air jet covers and jet replacement parts.

Underwater view of a bather's feet above the adjustable foot massage jets in an Ella walk-in tub
Foot jets sit on a beveled edge aimed at the heel and ball of the foot; each nozzle is its own valve.

Fixing a Stiff Intensity Control Dial

Fixing a Tight Intensity Control Dial on an Ella Walk-In Tub

If the intensity dial on your tub is tight and difficult to turn, the usual cause is excess silicone left from the assembly process, and it takes just a few minutes to clear. Watch: Ella's Bubbles: Intensity Dial Too Tight with a full transcript.

  1. Place protective tape on the tub surface around the dial so nothing gets scratched.
  2. Remove the dial.
  3. Using a straight edge that is not too sharp, gently wipe and trim the excess silicone from around the ring.
  4. Snap the dial back on. It should now turn without any difficulty.

When Adjustment Is Not Enough

If the pressure stays weak at every jet no matter where the dial is set, the cause is usually not the jets at all. If the dial does nothing while the pump runs, the air hose from the dial to the pump may have come off; if the pump itself will not start, see pump and massage system troubleshooting. A pump that runs at full strength for a few seconds and then drops to half strength, or jets that blow weaker than they used to, can also point to a clogged pump inlet or debris in the lines, so run the monthly vinegar flush from cleaning and monthly maintenance and clear the pump inlet cover before contacting the team. Remember that the right checks depend on which therapy package is on your order, and never run a pump before the water is above the highest jets.

Common Questions

The back jets push me forward. Can I turn them down?
Yes, you can adjust the intensity of the back jets on your Ella walk-in tub. To reduce the overall strength of the hydro massage, turn the intensity control dial on the tub deck down for a softer flow across all hydro jets. You can also rotate the face of any individual seat jet to redirect its flow away from a sore spot or to close it completely. The intensity dial allows you to set the hydro massage to a very mild, barely perceptible level.
Can I order a tub with fewer jets?
No, you cannot order an Ella walk-in tub with fewer jets than what is specified for a particular model and package. Jet counts are fixed by the tub model and therapy package, and one-off tubs with fewer jets are not built. However, you can adjust the hydro massage intensity using the intensity control dial to a very mild setting, and individual jets can be closed by rotating their faces.
How much does the dial change the pressure?
The intensity control dial on your Ella walk-in tub adjusts the hydro massage by adding or removing air in the water stream, rather than changing the pump speed. Turning the dial up introduces more air for a stronger flow, and turning it down reduces the air for a gentler, softer flow. This allows you to move the massage from vigorous to very gentle without switching the pump off.
The intensity dial will not turn at all. Is it broken?
If the intensity control dial on your Ella walk-in tub is tight and difficult to turn, it is almost never broken. The usual cause is excess silicone left from the assembly process, which can be cleared in a few minutes. To fix this, place protective tape on the tub surface around the dial, then remove the dial. Gently wipe and trim the excess silicone from around the ring using a straight edge that is not too sharp, then snap the dial back on. It should then turn without difficulty, as demonstrated in the video "Ella's Bubbles: Intensity Dial Too Tight".
I turn the dial and nothing changes. What now?
The dial is an air control on a small hose that runs to the pump. If the pump runs but the dial has no effect, that hose has probably come off behind the access panel; reconnect it firmly. If it stays unresponsive, open a ticket with your serial number.
Can I turn off the seat jets and keep only the foot jets?
On tubs with independent foot massage the foot and calf jets have their own pump and dial, so you can run them alone. On a single-pump hydro tub the upper jets run whenever hydro is on, though individual jets can be closed by rotating the face.
The air jets blow too hard and water goes over the side. Can I adjust them?
Air massage on Ella walk-in tubs does not have an intensity control dial. To adjust the air jet strength, press the Air button on the tub deck to cycle through high, medium, and low speeds, then off on the fourth press. Choose a lower speed setting to reduce the intensity. Additionally, ensure the water level in the tub is kept below the center of the drain handle to prevent water from going over the side.
Is a steady hum or a periodic buzz normal?
Yes, a steady hum or a periodic buzz is normal for Ella walk-in tubs. Pumps and blowers will make a steady motor sound during operation, and the ozone generator will hum softly on its own. However, if you notice a new rattle, grinding, or squeal, it is recommended to record a short video of the sound and send it with a support ticket to the Ella's Bubbles team for further assistance.

For anything specific to your model or serial number, open a ticket at ellasbubbles.com/support or call (800) 480-6850. The team is glad to help.

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.

Related guides

Did this solve your question?

If not, open a ticket and our team will pick it up from here.

Open a Support Ticket