Fixing a Leak at the Microbubble Tank Fitting With the Repair Kit
A leak at the fitting where the water line joins the microbubble tank can be repaired with a small kit from Ella's Bubbles rather than a new tank. The kit contains a 3/4 inch PVC coupling or elbow, a tin of PVC cleaner, a tin of PVC-ABS cement and a tin of extra strength PVC cement, and the repair is a clean, coat, hold and cure job for a local plumber. If the crack is in the short arm that projects from the tank body itself, the fitting cannot be rebuilt and the team ships a replacement tank instead. Send photos to the team first so they can tell which repair applies to your tub.
Where the Leak Comes from
The microbubble tank sits under the tub and is fed by 1/2 inch flexible pipe cemented into a fitting on the tank. If water appears around that joint while the microbubble system is running, the bond between the pipe and the tank fitting has let go, or the fitting has cracked. The team specifies PVC-ABS cement for the tank side of the joint and extra strength PVC cement for the pipe side, so use each tin exactly where the steps call for it. Photos of the wet area, taken with the system running, let the team confirm which case you have and send the right parts.
Repairing the Joint with the Kit
- Make sure the tub is empty and the microbubble system is switched off.
- Cut the existing flexible pipe right where it meets the tank fitting, at the old cement line. Keep as much of the 1/2 inch flexible pipe as possible.
- Use the PVC cleaner (yellow tin) on the inside of the 3/4 inch coupling and the outside of the tank fitting, and to remove any old cement.
- Apply a generous coat of PVC-ABS cement (pale green tin) to the inside of the coupling and the outside of the tank fitting.
- Push the coupling onto the fitting and hold it firmly for about two minutes so it does not push back out.
- Apply a second layer of PVC-ABS cement around the seam where the coupling meets the tank.
- Use the extra strength PVC cement to attach the 1/2 inch flexible pipe to the coupling, using the reducer bushing if your kit includes one, and build out the rest of the line the same way.
- Let the cement cure fully, following the directions on the tins, before running the system.
When the Tank Arm Is Cracked
If the crack is on the short arm projecting from the tank, no amount of cement will hold. Ask your plumber whether the threaded union going onto the canister can be removed. If it cannot, the team sends a replacement tank complete with threaded unions so the new tank can be reattached to the rest of the line. If it can, let the team know so they can send the right parts. A leak lower down at the drain elbow is a separate problem and is covered in the drain elbow leak guide.
Who Does the Work
The kit or tank ships under the parts warranty once the team has reviewed your photos and serial number and the claim qualifies. A local licensed plumber does the cutting and cementing, and free technical support is available to them at (800) 480-6850. Ella's Bubbles does not send technicians. Owners who added microbubbles to a conventional bathtub can read more in the microbubble retrofit kit guide.
Common Questions
How do I find where the microbubble tank is leaking?
Can I use ordinary PVC cement on the tank fitting?
How long do I hold the fitting while the cement sets?
What if the crack is on the tank itself?
Is the microbubble repair kit covered under the warranty?
Still Need Help?
Open a ticket at ellasbubbles.com/support or call (800) 480-6850 and have your model and serial number ready.
Did this solve it?
If not, open a ticket and our team will pick it up from here.
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