Overflow Fitting Drips Heavily When the Tub Drains: What to Check

A heavy drip from the compression fitting where the overflow flex line joins the drain tee, showing only while the tub drains, usually means the flex line is not seated straight and round in that fitting. One cause seen on support calls is a line that was cut short during installation behind the plastic support bracket that holds it against the shell, so it makes a sharp bend right at the fitting and the compression seal cannot close evenly around it. Take clear photos of the fitting and the line, open a ticket with your serial number, and support will confirm whether the fitting needs to be re-seated or a replacement line or fitting sent under the parts warranty.

Why It Shows While Draining

The overflow line runs from the overflow opening on the tub wall down to a tee on the drain body under the tub. While the tub is full and still, that joint can hold without showing anything. Open the drains and water is flowing through the tee, so any gap where the flex line meets the compression fitting starts to weep, and with a strong drain flow it can drip steadily. A leak that appears only during draining points you toward the drain path rather than a supply line or jet line. The guide to finding the source of water under the tub walks through the other fittings to rule out.

What to Look for at the Fitting

Remove the access panel and follow the flex line from the overflow down to the tee. Check for these conditions.

• A kink or tight bend right where the line enters the compression nut. The line should approach the fitting straight.
• An end of the line that has been squeezed oval rather than round. A crushed end cannot seal in a compression fitting.
• A line that looks too short, especially one that has been cut behind the plastic support bracket. Trimming the line to fit around the bracket leaves too little length to reach the tee without bending.
• A compression nut that is loose, cross-threaded or overtightened. Overtightening is covered in the drain elbow and drain pipe leak article.

Confirming the Leak and Sending Photos

1. Dry the area around the tee and the overflow line with a towel.
2. Fill the tub a few inches, then open the drains and watch the compression fitting while the water runs out.
3. Note whether the drip starts at the nut, along the line or at the tee body.
4. Photograph the fitting from two angles, including the full run of the flex line so the bend and any cut are visible.
5. Open a ticket at ellasbubbles.com/support with the photos, your model and serial number, and a short description of when the drip appears.

Support reviews the photos and confirms whether the line can be backed out and re-seated square in the fitting or whether a new line or fitting is needed. Replacement parts ship under the lifetime parts warranty for the original owner. A local licensed plumber does the labor.

O-Rings and Gaskets When the Overflow Union Comes Apart

If you or your plumber unscrew the overflow union to inspect it, the thin o-ring on the outside of the union sometimes tears on the way out. That outer ring is not the seal. The internal gasket inside the union is what keeps the joint watertight, so as long as that gasket is intact the joint can go back together. Applying pipe dope to the internal gasket is fine. If the elbow itself is ever replaced, expect the gasket to need replacing at the same time, because removing an old elbow usually tears it. Ella usually ships a new gasket with a replacement elbow for that reason. See what hoses, lines and fittings can be replaced for the parts available.

If the Drip Has Already Damaged the Floor

Photograph the fitting before anything is taken apart and keep any part that is removed. The leak damage claim article explains what to send and how the review works. The parts warranty covers the part itself, not water damage to the home or the plumber's labor.

Related Guides

• Why Doesn't the Overflow on My Tub Drain?
• Why Do the Rubber Gaskets on My Drain Plugs Keep Coming Off?
• Drain Plugs, Plug Stems, Drain Gaskets and Hair Catchers: Adjusting, Replacing and Keeping Them Out of the Drain
• Drain Kit Compression Washer or Gasket Looks Missing: Where to Look First

Common Questions

Still Need Help?

Open a ticket at ellasbubbles.com/support or call (800) 480-6850 and have your model and serial number ready.