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Plumbing and drain configurations: connecting your walk-in tub to the house drain

Updated September 2026

▶Glossary8
  1. Watch: Dual Drain Technology and the House Connection
  2. Planning the Connection
  3. Which Drain Setup Does My Model Have?
  4. Adjustable Drain Height
  5. After Hookup
  6. Watch: Plumbing and Electrical Connections Together
  7. Related Guides
  8. Common Questions

Connecting your walk-in tub to the house drain is straightforward on an Ella tub because most models use our dual drain system: two oversized 2 inch drains, each ending in a 4-port T-type PVC fitting, giving your installer four 2 inch ports to work with. You can connect all four ports to the house main for maximum drain speed, or connect one side and cap the unused ports with the included end caps. The connection is made with a standard T or Y fitting into your existing 1 1/2 inch or 2 inch house drain, with a 2 inch main and a Y fitting preferred. A standard size Ella tub drains in approximately 80 seconds under ideal conditions, and because the system is gravity driven rather than pump driven, a power failure never leaves you waiting to exit.

Watch: Dual Drain Technology and the House Connection

Dual Drain Technology and House Drain Connection
Chapters in this video
  1. 0:00 Dual Drain Technology Overview The video introduces Ella's Bubbles dual 2-inch, four-port drain system and its connection to a house drain.
  2. 0:20 Live Drain Demonstration A live demonstration shows water flowing through the dual 2-inch, four-port drains.
  3. 0:39 Drain Setup Images Actual images display a drain setup before and after the installation of the dual drain system.
  4. 1:01 House Drain Connection Options The video explains recommended house drain connections and how installers determine the best setup.
  5. 1:27 Easy Turn Drain Handles The easy turn drain handles are shown, which also function as dual air vents to maximize water outflow.
  6. 1:40 Single Drain and Gravity Driven System Some tubs feature an oversized single drain with emergency pull chain, and the gravity-driven system is highlighted.

Watch: Ella's Bubbles: Dual Drain Technology and House Drain Connection with chapters and a full transcript.

The video shows live water flow through the dual 2 inch 4-port drains, real before-and-after images of a drain setup, a new installation with dual P-traps, and a finished connection to the house main drain. It also covers a detail worth knowing: the easy-turn drain handles are also dual air vents, which doubles the air venting, eliminates air pockets and maximizes water outflow. One correction to the narration: the video describes a right-side door as putting the drains on the right, but the current published configuration is the opposite, as explained under planning below. Why the dual drain outperforms a single drain and a powered drain is covered in how fast does a walk-in tub drain.

Close-up of the 2 inch T-type four-port dual drain fitting under an Ella walk-in tub
The 2 inch T-type four-port body under the tub: connect all four ports, or one side with the other side capped.

Planning the Connection

  1. Verify the house drain first. Have an experienced plumber confirm the house drain flows well and is in good condition. A dual drain cannot fix a slow house drain.
  2. Prefer a 2 inch house drain. A 2 inch main drain is recommended for ideal draining, but you can always use a T or a Y connection into a 1 1/2 inch house drain. A standard 2 inch to 1 1/2 inch reducing coupling or elbow ahead of the P-trap riser handles the size change, and only one house connection is needed because the two Ella drains join under the tub.
  3. Prefer a Y fitting over a T. Fewer sharp turns means faster drainage. Keep the run as short and straight as possible.
  4. Choose ports based on your house drain location. Connect all four ports for the fastest possible drainage, or use one side and cap the other. Your installer determines which side is most efficient. Plumbing can run under the tub to a house drain in the center or on the opposite side; the frame leaves a few inches of clearance for it.
  5. Plan the door side around the drain. The door and seat are on one side of the tub and the drains are on the opposite side: a right-side door means left-side drains, and a left-side door means right-side drains, with left and right as you face the tub. Choose the door side based on where your house drain is and confirm the plan with your installer before ordering. The left-hand or right-hand article covers this choice in full.

The default frame and threshold height is preset at the factory so the drain piping can pass under the tub, above the floor, and tap into the existing house drain. New holes are typically drilled into the subfloor to accommodate the drains, and drain configurations vary with every home. If you want the tub lower, with the drain run below the subfloor, read lowering the tub and recessed installations first, since cutting the apron or end panel removes those parts from coverage.

Which Drain Setup Does My Model Have?

FamilyDrain configuration
Stainless inward-swing (Elite, Petite, Royal, Deluxe, Ultimate), Ultra, outward-swing U-shape (except Front Entry), Transfer, two-seatDual: two 2 inch 4-port T-type PVC drains, 2 end caps, 2 overflows, 2 cable openers
Standard, Standard60, Zen, Zen60, FlowSingle oversized 2 inch gravity drain with chain-operated plug and emergency pull-up chain, plus overflow; single-port T-type floor drain with 2 connectable ports and 1 cap for the unused port
Front EntrySingle 2 inch 2-port drain
LayDown60 / LayDown72Single 2 inch threaded brass drain with copper overflow and cable opener. Order brass-drain parts, not dual-drain kits; for a straight-down exit, ask the team for the right fitting. See the LayDown tub guide
HoistAssist / Transfer3060HL2 inch horizontal PVC drain with plunger and chain (not a cable opener)

Adjustable Drain Height

Adjustable Drain Height

Ella tubs have adjustable height drains. If your drain sits too high or too low, the stem can be adjusted by loosening or tightening it. One caution from the video: it is critically important not to loosen the drain stem too much, otherwise the stem can fall off and go down the drain. Plug and stem details are in drain plugs, stems and gaskets. Watch: Ella's Bubbles: Adjustable Drain Height with a full transcript.

After Hookup

While the tub drains for the first time, check every drain fitting for leaks (this is an initialed item on the warranty activation form). Drain handles turn clockwise to open fully, and on Transfer models the drain opener extension handle is up for open. A drip at a drain elbow is usually an over-tightened fitting or a shifted gasket rather than a defect; leak at the drain elbow or drain pipe explains the fix. Once the tub is in use, a slow drain is almost always on the house side; see tub drains slowly or not at all.

Watch: Plumbing and Electrical Connections Together

Proper Plumbing and Electrical Connections For Your Ella Walk-In Tub
Chapters in this video
  1. 0:00 Important Safety Information The video begins with a disclaimer emphasizing the need for licensed contractors and adherence to local building codes for installation.
  2. 0:14 Ella's Dual Drain Technology The video highlights Ella's dual oversized two-inch drains, explaining their fast drainage, adjustable covers, and overflow protection features.
  3. 1:42 Connecting Tub to House Drain The video demonstrates how the tub drain connects to the house drain through a floor cutout and advises on optimal drain performance.
  4. 2:30 Fast Fill Faucet Sets The video showcases Ella's fast-fill faucet sets, including the hand shower and recommended three-quarter inch supply lines with shut-off valves.
  5. 3:04 Electrical Connections and Safety The video emphasizes clearly marked and accessible electrical components, the use of GFCI protected outlets, and appropriate amperage values.

This technical support video covers the plumbing and electrical connections as one job: the drain hookup under the tub, the supply lines to shut-off valves placed near the tub, and the labeled cords to their dedicated GFCI outlets, all inside the access the installer must leave for future service.

Common Questions

Do I need to enlarge my 1 1/2 inch house drain?
No. A 2 inch main drain is recommended for the fastest draining, but a standard T or Y connection into an existing 1 1/2 inch house drain works and is common; a reducing coupling or elbow ahead of the P-trap riser handles the size change. Have an experienced plumber confirm the house drain flows well first.
Do I have to connect all four drain ports?
No. Connect all four ports for the fastest possible drainage, or connect one side and cap the unused ports with the end caps included with the tub. Your installer determines which side is most efficient based on where your house drain sits. Either way, keep the run as short and straight as possible.
Which side will my drains be on?
The drains are on the opposite side from the door and seat. A right-side door tub has its drains on the left, and a left-side door tub has its drains on the right, with left and right as you face the tub. Choose the door side based on where your house drain is and confirm the plan with your installer before ordering; our left-hand or right-hand article covers the choice in full.
Can the house drain be in the center of the alcove?
Yes, the house drain can be in the center of the alcove. The tub's frame provides a few inches of clearance, allowing the 2 inch PVC drain piping to run under the tub, above the floor, to a house drain located in the center or on the opposite side. Your plumber will route the drain run with as few turns as possible to ensure efficient drainage.
Does an Ella walk-in tub drain use a pump?
No. Every Ella drain is gravity driven, so there is no drain pump to fail and a power failure never leaves you waiting to exit the tub. The oversized 2 inch drains and the easy-turn handles, which double as air vents, are what give the system its speed.
Does the tub need one P-trap or two?
Either works. The installation shown in the video uses a P-trap on each drain before the lines join at the house connection; a single P-trap serving both drains after they are tied together is also common. Your plumber sizes and places the traps to local code, and only one connection to the house drain is needed. If you are unsure, ask your plumber to walk through the layout before any holes are drilled.
How fast will it drain in my house?
A standard size Ella tub drains in approximately 80 seconds under ideal conditions. Real results depend on the condition of your house drain, how many of the four ports are connected, and how many turns the run makes, which is why a 2 inch main and a Y fitting are preferred. Once the tub is in use, a slow drain is almost always on the house side.
Do you sell a double-drain connection or Y fitting?
The tub ships with everything on its own side of the connection: the dual 2 inch drains, the 4-port T-type bodies, and the end caps for unused ports. The Y or T fitting into the house drain, any reducing coupling, and the P-traps are standard PVC parts available from any plumbing supplier, so your plumber sources them locally. If you have a question about a specific fitting, the team at (800) 480-6850 can help.
Can the drain and the water lines be run under the tub to the other side of the room?
Yes. The tub stands on leveling legs with about 3 inches of clear space beneath it, so the 2 inch PVC drain line and the hot and cold supply lines can be routed under the tub to a house drain or plumbing wall on the opposite end. Installers simply cap the old valve location and run new lines to the new side; the back of the tub is open so the connections can be made before it is pushed into place.
Can I hook up just one of the two drains and block the other?
No, you cannot hook up just one of the two drains and block the other. Both of the oversized 2 inch drains on Ella's Bubbles walk-in tubs must remain connected to the house drain. Blocking one drain creates a dead leg where stagnant water can accumulate, which invites algae, mold, and mildew inside the drain line.
Do the tubs have a drain pump to empty faster?
No. Every Ella drain is gravity only. Real world drain speed is set by the size and run of your house drain, so a small existing drain on a slab will simply empty the tub more slowly. Never try to force water into an undersized house line; the pressure comes back up through sinks and overflows elsewhere.
On a slab, does the tub drain have to sit directly over the floor drain?
No. The drain body lets your installer connect from the left, the right or the center, and the tub can be shifted sideways so the tub drain is offset from the floor drain rather than sitting right over it. On an upper floor with a finished ceiling below, choose the door and drain hand that lets the PVC run beneath the tub to the existing drain instead of opening the ceiling.
Is the drain included, and what does the plumber need to bring?
The drain and overflow arrive assembled on the tub. Your installer supplies standard PVC pipe, the couplings to the house drain, the shut off valves and the supply couplings, which are not included. The LayDown ships with an angled elbow on its single drain; a straight down exit needs a different fitting, so ask the team before the plumber improvises.
Does installing a walk-in tub with multiple therapy options require extra electrical work?
Yes, installing a tub with multiple therapies may require additional electrical work compared to a single therapy system. Any electrical connections should be made by a licensed contractor following local building codes, with each component connected to its own GFCI protected outlet. Confirm your home's electrical setup with your installer before the tub arrives.
Does Ella's Bubbles provide a video that explains how to ground the tub?
Yes, Ella's Bubbles provides a video that explains how the tub is grounded. Grounding and all other electrical connections should be completed by a licensed electrician in accordance with local building codes. If you have questions about grounding your specific model, the team at (800) 480-6850 can help.

Still need help? Open a ticket at ellasbubbles.com/support or call (800) 480-6850.

About this guide. Answers in the Ella’s Bubbles Support Center are compiled from real conversations with tub owners, our technicians’ notes and the product documentation, then reviewed by our team. Tub models and options have evolved over the years, so a detail here may differ slightly from your exact tub. If something looks different on yours, send us your serial number and a specialist will confirm it for your model.

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