When the overflow does not drain on an Ella walk-in tub, the usual explanation is that the tub has been filled higher than it was designed for, or that the house drain flows slowly. On dual drain Ella tubs the overflow protection is built into the drain dials: the easy turn handle that opens each floor drain also functions as overflow protection and an air vent, and the water runs into the drain body under the tub. On the Standard, the single 2 inch gravity floor drain carries the overflow and an emergency pull up chain. The first thing to check is your fill level. Do not fill above the center of the drain handle, and confirm the house drain moves water freely.

Likely Causes

• The tub was filled above the center of the drain handle.
• A slow house drain. The overflow empties through the same drain body as the floor drain, so a sluggish house line backs both up.
• An overflow cap or chain that has been pulled out of position or draped into the tub. The chain is an emergency pull, not a daily control.

What to Check, in Order

1. Fill only to the center of the drain handle. Above that line you are past the design level.
2. Open the floor drain fully, clockwise to open. If the tub empties normally through the floor drain, the drain body and house line are fine and this is a fill level question.
3. Time a full drain. An average size tub empties in about 80 seconds under ideal conditions. If it takes much longer, have a plumber check the house drain, because a dual drain cannot fix a slow house drain. See how fast a walk-in tub drains.
4. Look at the chain and cap. If the chain drapes into the tub or feels too short, it may have been pulled out of position. Caps and chains are replaceable parts; photograph them.
5. Check the run under the tub for extra elbows, since a Y drains better than a T. Plumbing and drain configurations lists the overflow arrangement by model.
6. If your tub is a Standard, it has one drain, not two. The four port T type wording on the spec sheet describes the drain body under the tub. The Standard and Standard60 profile covers what ships on that model.

The video shows the large dial openers, explains that the dials function as overflow protection while the dual drain also works as a vent for fast air pocket relief, and notes that the floor drain covers are height adjustable so they seal and drain cleanly. Plug height is covered in drain plugs, stems, gaskets and hair catchers.

When to Open a Ticket

If the floor drain empties quickly but water still climbs past the handle, or the chain and cap look damaged, open a ticket at ellasbubbles.com/support with a photo of the drain handle area from inside the tub, a photo of the drain body under the tub if you can reach it, your serial number, and how long a full drain takes. Your Ella dealer or the team at (800) 480-6850 confirms the overflow design for your model and sends caps or chains as needed.

Common Questions