How Do I Plumb the Drain and Water Supply for an Ella Pet Spa?

The Ella Pet Spa drains through a 2 inch PVC drain glued to a 2 inch drain pipe, with a reducer to 1 1/2 inch permitted per the spec sheet, and it takes water through two 5 foot stainless steel braided supply lines with 3/4 inch IPS connectors. The drain outlet sits between the bottom of the tub and the subfloor, in the same place on every unit whichever door hinge side you order, so the drain line runs beneath the unit rather than out the back or side. Before your plumber cores concrete or cuts a floor, request the drain location drawings and the owner's manual, as explained in Where the Pet Spa Drain Is and Whether the Door Side Changes It.

The Drain Connection

The Pet Spa uses a 2 inch PVC drain with a cable-operated lever. Your plumber glues it to a 2 inch drain pipe, or to a reducer down to 1 1/2 inch where the spec sheet allows it. Because the outlet is under the tub, the question that comes up most on grooming-shop installs is how much room there is between the outlet and the floor and whether the line can slope properly to an existing floor drain or a new core in concrete. The support team answers that with drawings and photos of the drain location rather than a single figure over the phone, because the answer depends on how your line is routed. Request the drawings with your hinge side stated, and have a licensed plumber lay out the slope to the drain point before the unit is delivered.

Two rules from the owner's manual protect the drain once it is connected. First, the screw on the drain plug is adjusted first and then the backnut is tightened securely; a backnut that is not tight loosens over time, comes apart and falls down the drain. Second, never step on an open drain. The drain must open completely to drain properly and close completely to hold water. After each bath, rinse hair from the tub so it does not reach the drain. Those habits and the rest of the manual are collected in Pet Spa Owner's Guide: Carrying, Drain Backnut, Never Step on an Open Drain, GFCI, Indoor Use and Cleaning.

The Water Supply

The supply side is two 5 foot stainless steel braided lines with 3/4 inch IPS connectors, feeding a multi-function faucet set with an extendable hand shower and the microbubble handset with built-in ozone. The faucet includes a thermostatic control valve that limits the water temperature at the faucet to prevent scalding. Even so, check the water on your own hand before the pet gets in. If your supply lines or the electrical outlet must come from a particular wall, send the support team a marked-up sketch of the room with your drawings request so the connections can be checked against the space. Dimensions and included equipment are in Ella Pet Spa: Microbubble Grooming Tub Specs: the tub is 51 x 32 inches, with 20 adjustable sidewall jets and a removable platform for smaller pets.

Power, Location and the Pump

• Electrical: one dedicated 120 volt, 20 amp GFCI-protected line with a single plug-in connection, installed by a licensed electrician and tested periodically. Pressing the GFCI test button should trip it to reset mode; if it does not, turn off the power and do not use the tub until the cause is found and corrected.
• Location: the Pet Spa is not intended for outdoor use. Its electrical and water pump requirements call for a protected indoor location, which is why units are typically placed in garages, homes or stores.
• Safety: keep electrical appliances such as hair dryers, lamps, phones and radios at least 3 feet from the tub.
• Pump: keep water above the jets before any pump runs.

Rough-In and Delivery-Day Sequence

1. Confirm the hinge side you are ordering. It sets the door swing only; the drain location does not change.
2. Request the Pet Spa drain location drawings and the owner's manual from the support team at ellasbubbles.com/support or (800) 480-6850.
3. Mark the drain outlet position on the floor where the unit will sit.
4. Have a licensed plumber verify the slope from the outlet to the floor drain or core location and set the 2 inch drain pipe.
5. Have a licensed electrician run the dedicated 20 amp GFCI circuit to the planned outlet location.
6. On delivery day, remove the two side access panels and one end panel and carry the unit by its stainless steel frame. Never lift it by the plumbing. Afterward, inspect the plumbing for anything loosened in transit or during the carry.
7. Connect the drain, tighten the backnut, connect the two braided supply lines, and test the GFCI before the first bath.

Ella ships the tub and, under the warranty, replacement parts; the plumbing and electrical labor is done by your local licensed plumber and electrician. The Pet Spa's printed warranty terms, including the limited lifetime coverage on the shell, frame, door, door seal and finish, are summarized in Warranty Terms for Showers, Shower Doors, Seats, Faucets, Alcove Tubs and the Pet Spa.

Common Questions