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Ordering a Replacement Drain Cable or Full Drain Assembly for Your Walk-In Tub

Updated September 2026

▶Glossary9
  1. Cable Only, or the Whole Assembly?
  2. What to Have Ready When You Call
  3. Warranty or Purchase
  4. Older Dual-Drain Elbows
  5. Installing the New Cable
  6. Related Guides
  7. Related Videos
  8. Common Questions
  9. Still Need Help?

Yes, you can order just the drain cable for an Ella walk-in tub. The cable is stocked as its own part, and a complete drain assembly is also available when more than the cable has failed. The same drain assembly fits either drain position, so there is no separate left-hand or right-hand version. To arrange a replacement, contact your Ella dealer or the team at (800) 480-6850 with your tub's model number, and the team will confirm the right part and whether it ships under your warranty.

Cable Only, or the Whole Assembly?

The cable is the usual failure. The lever at the bottom of the drain is a solid piece of metal and almost never breaks, so when the stopper stops responding to the handle, the cable has most likely snapped or pulled away from the lever. One common cause is someone stepping on the stopper while the drain is open. In that case a new cable is all you need, and the drain body, overflow and handle stay in place. If you are not sure which piece has failed, this guide to the lever, cable and assembly walks through the differences.

The full assembly is the better choice when a piece is missing from inside the drain, when the tub has been moved and reinstalled, or when you are not the original owner and the drain's history is unknown. In those situations something inside the drain body may also be damaged, and there is no guarantee that a single new cable will fit. Replacing the whole assembly resolves everything in one step.

What to Have Ready When You Call

  1. Your model number. The team uses it to identify the correct drain part for your tub.
  2. Your serial number, found on the label behind the magnetic access panel next to the door. It is used to verify warranty coverage and to locate your original order.
  3. How many drains are on your tub and which one is affected. Because the assemblies are universal, you do not need to specify a left or right side.
  4. Whether you are the original owner at the original installation address, since that determines whether the part ships under warranty or is purchased.
  5. A few photos of the damaged part and a short description of what happened, if you are filing a warranty claim.

Warranty or Purchase

The lifetime limited parts warranty covers the waste and overflow for the original purchaser at the original installation address. Once the team verifies the claim, the replacement part ships at no charge, and a local licensed plumber handles the labor, which is never covered. If the tub has changed hands or been relocated, the warranty no longer applies and the part is purchased through your Ella dealer or the team. Plumbers and contractors are welcome to call on a homeowner's behalf; the team simply needs the tub's model number to identify the correct part.

Older Dual-Drain Elbows

If your tub is older, the drain elbows may look different from the current parts. Ella drain elbows are not compression fittings; they seal with a rubber gasket. The flat-style elbow used on older dual drains has been discontinued, while the round-style elbow is still available. Because these are Ella-specific parts, order elbows, nuts and gaskets through your Ella dealer or the team rather than substituting a generic fitting.

Installing the New Cable

Once the part arrives, this replacement and adjustment guide covers fitting the cable and setting it so the stopper opens fully and seals when closed. Before ordering, it is worth ruling out the simple causes: a loose drain handle or a handle that turns without opening the drain can look like a broken cable when it is only an adjustment issue.

Chapters in this video
  1. 0:00 Introduction to Drain Cables The video introduces the dual four-port t-type drains with stainless steel cables that open and close the drains.
  2. 0:18 Removing the Old Cable The technician removes the service panel, armature, barrel end, drain handle, and vent assembly to access the cable.
  3. 1:13 Installing the New Cable The technician screws in the new cable, tightens the locking nut, and replaces the drain vent assembly with silicone.
  4. 1:46 Reassembling the Drain The technician places the cable barrel head onto the armature, inserts it into the connection box, and replaces the panel and drain handle.
  5. 2:30 Adjusting Drain Height The technician demonstrates how to adjust the drain height by turning the drain stem and tightening it with a lock nut.

Watch: Drain Cable Replacement with chapters and a full transcript.

Common Questions

Can I buy just the drain cable by itself?
Yes. The cable is stocked as a separate part and is the usual fix when the stopper stops responding to the handle. Contact your Ella dealer or the team at (800) 480-6850 with your model number. If parts are missing inside the drain or you are not the original owner, the full assembly is the safer choice.
Is the drain assembly different for the left and right drain?
No. The drain assembly is universal and fits either drain position, so you only need to tell the team how many drains your tub has and which one has failed. If the other drain is also showing its age, you can order both at the same time.
Do you need my serial number to order a drain part?
The model number is what identifies the correct drain part for your Ella walk-in tub. The serial number, found on the label behind the magnetic access panel next to the door, is used to verify warranty coverage and to locate your original order. Please have both your tub's model number and serial number ready when you contact your Ella dealer or the support team.
Which part do I need if the lever inside the drain looks broken?
Almost always the cable. The lever is a solid piece of metal that very rarely breaks, so when the stopper stops working the cable has usually disconnected from the lever. A new cable is the normal fix, and the lever stays in place.
Can my plumber order the drain part for me?
Yes, plumbers and contractors are welcome to call the Ella's Bubbles support team on a homeowner's behalf to order a drain part. The plumber will need the tub's model number to identify the correct part. For a warranty claim, the team will also need the original owner's details and a few photos of the damaged part to verify coverage.
Is the drain cable covered under the warranty?
The lifetime limited parts warranty covers the waste and overflow for the original purchaser at the original installation address, and labor is never covered. The team verifies each claim before a part ships. If the tub has changed owners or been moved, the part is purchased.

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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