Fixing a Leak at the Plug on the Hydro Return Elbow
A leak at the plug on the hydro return elbow is fixed by resealing the plug: clean the old silicone out of the hole, apply fresh 100 percent silicone, and let it cure for a full 24 hours before filling the tub. It is a small job for your plumber, and there are two plugged holes on the elbow, so it is worth resealing both while the area is open.
Where the Hydro Return Elbow Is
The hydro return elbow is the PVC fitting under the tub where water is drawn back from the tub toward the hydro pump. It joins the tub shell at the hydro intake, which is sealed with silicone at the factory. The elbow has two small plugged holes, one on each side of the fitting, and each is sealed with silicone. Your plumber locates it under the tub on the hydro intake side.
Confirming the Leak Source
- Dry the floor and the underside of the tub completely.
- Fill the tub above the highest hydro jets and run the hydro system for a few minutes.
- With a flashlight, watch the return elbow, the sealed joint at the shell and both plugged holes for the first sign of water.
- If the water appears at a plug, follow the resealing steps below. If it appears somewhere else, the articles on leaks at the corners when the tub is filled and leaks that only happen while draining point to the other usual sources.
Resealing the Plug
- Drain the tub and let the elbow dry fully.
- Remove all of the existing silicone from the leaking hole. A plastic pick or scraper will not scratch the fitting.
- Clean the hole and the surrounding surface so the new sealant bonds to bare, dry material.
- Apply 100 percent silicone into the hole and over the plug. Ella seals the hydro intake at the factory with GE brand 100 percent clear silicone, and any 100 percent silicone is the right type.
- Clean and reseal the second hole on the opposite side of the elbow the same way.
- Allow 24 hours for the silicone to cure before filling the tub or running the hydro pump.
- Fill, run the hydro system, and check the elbow again with a flashlight.
Use only 100 percent silicone and give it the full cure time. A sealant of the wrong type, or filling before the cure is complete, can leave the plug leaking again.
Who Does the Work
Ella does not send technicians. Replacement parts ship under the parts warranty, and a local licensed plumber does the labor. This repair usually needs no parts at all, only sealant and cure time. If your plumber finds a cracked elbow or a damaged plug rather than failed silicone, open a ticket with photos of the fitting and your serial number so the team can send the right part.
Related Guides
- Loose Air Lines Under the Rim: Hydro Breathers and the Microbubble Prime Port
- Damaged Hydro Jet Hoses, PVC Lines and Jet Fittings: What Can Be Replaced
- Water Under or Behind the Tub: Finding the Source at Unions, Air Fittings, the Hand Shower, Drain Elbow and Supply Lines
Common Questions
What kind of silicone should my plumber use on the plug?
How long does the silicone need to cure before I bathe?
Why are there two holes on the hydro return elbow?
Does Ella send someone to fix a leaking return elbow?
What if the elbow still leaks after resealing both plugs?
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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