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Leveling your walk-in tub: why every leg must touch the floor before anything else

Updated September 2026

▶Glossary8
  1. See Leveling Done During a Real Installation
  2. How to Level the Tub, Step by Step
  3. Why Leveling Legs Matter
  4. If the Door Rubs the Frame or Jamb
  5. Why This Is a Warranty Item
  6. If Your Door Is Already Leaking
  7. Related Guides
  8. Common Questions

Leveling a walk-in tub is the number one thing that prevents door leaks, and it is the first thing to verify on any new install or any tub that has started leaking at the door. Every leveling leg must touch the floor and carry equal weight, with no gap under any leg. On the inward-swing acrylic family (Standard, Standard60, Zen, Zen60, Flow) and the HomeCare, the front legs must also be screwed into the subfloor. An unlevel tub slowly warps the frame and shell, the door falls out of alignment, the seal leaks, and misleveling voids the warranty, so this step deserves real care.

See Leveling Done During a Real Installation

Installation Tips For The Ella Big4One
Chapters in this video
  1. 0:00 Preparing for Your Walk-In Tub The video shows the removal of an old tub and the preparation of the space for a new Ella's Bubbles walk-in tub.
  2. 0:31 Unboxing and Leveling the Tub The installer removes the tub's panels to prevent damage and then levels the tub using its adjustable leveling legs.
  3. 1:00 Ella's Dual Drain Technology The video explains Ella's dual drain system and shows different drain configurations for efficient water removal.
  4. 2:03 Water Supply and Electrical Connections The video highlights the importance of shutoff valves, proper supply lines, and dedicated GFCI circuits for the tub.
  5. 2:31 Designing for Easy Access The video recommends incorporating access panels into the bathroom remodel for convenient future servicing of the tub.

This Big4One installation shows why the sequence matters: panels and aprons come off before the tub enters the home, and once inside, the tub must be properly leveled before anything is connected. Ella tubs have adjustable leveling legs so the tub can be leveled and set correctly on the actual floor. Without proper leveling, the tub door may not function properly and may leak. Watch: Ella's Bubbles: Installation Tips For The Ella Big4One with chapters and a full transcript.

How to Level the Tub, Step by Step

  1. Start with the subfloor. It must be level and rated to support the tub, the water, and the bather. Fix subfloor problems before setting the tub. The tub can sit on the subfloor before tile or on the finished floor; see slabs, condos, and upper floors for special cases.
  2. Set the tub in place and check every side with a level. Check length and width on the deck, not just one edge.
  3. Test each leg with a slip of paper. Try to slide a piece of paper under each leveling leg. If the paper slides under, that leg is not carrying weight. Adjust until every foot is securely on the ground.
  4. Tighten all legs firmly. On the Standard, Zen, and Flow platform there must be no gap between the floor and the leveling legs, and the front legs must be screwed into the subfloor.
  5. Verify the door. The door must close smoothly into a watertight seal. If you see uneven gaps between the door and frame, adjust the legs until the gaps close evenly. Proper leveling assures proper door alignment, and proper door alignment is critical to a leak-proof seal.
  6. Re-verify after connections. The tub is leveled at the factory, but the installer must re-verify leveling on site, and again after plumbing and electrical work is complete, then run the pre-installation water test.
Close-up of the watertight door seal and aluminum frame corner on an Ella Ultra walk-in tub
A level frame lets the door meet the seal evenly all the way around. Uneven gaps mean a leg is not carrying weight.

Why Leveling Legs Matter

Leveling legs are critical to a proper functioning tub
Chapters in this video
  1. 0:00 Leveling Legs Are Critical Many Ella's Bubbles walk-in tubs have up to eight leveling legs to evenly disperse weight and ensure proper function.
  2. 0:14 Secure Each Foot The technician checks if each foot is securely on the ground, as an unsealed door could leak.
  3. 0:28 Check Tub Levels The technician checks levels on all sides of the tub to ensure all feet sit securely on the floor.
  4. 0:41 Proper Door Alignment Proper leveling assures correct door alignment and closure for your walk-in tub.

The video above shows that many Ella tubs have up to eight adjustable leveling legs. Check that each foot is securely on the floor; if one is not, the door will not seal and may leak. Adjust each leg and check level on all sides for proper door alignment and closure. Ella tubs have at least six leveling legs, including center legs on many models, which spread the weight, reduce subfloor movement and frame twist, and protect the silicone seams. Watch: Ella's Bubbles-Leveling legs are critical to a proper functioning tub. with chapters and a full transcript.

If the Door Rubs the Frame or Jamb

Proper Door Alignment
Chapters in this video
  1. 0:00 Door Rubbing the Jamb The video explains that a door rubbing the jamb indicates the tub is bowed down.
  2. 0:33 Ensuring Tub is Level Ella's Bubbles tubs have at least six leveling legs that must be solidly on the ground to prevent leaks.
  3. 0:47 Making Final Adjustments Each leg is adjusted to rest firmly on the floor, and careful measurements are taken to achieve a level tub.

A door that rubs or scrapes the jamb usually means the tub is bowed down in the middle because the center leg is not carrying weight. The video shows the fix: raise the tub from the center by extending the center leveling leg so the door frame opens up and clears the jamb, then re-check every leg and measure all sides again. Our door rubs the frame article walks through it in detail. Watch: Ellas Bubbles: Proper Door Alignment with chapters and a full transcript.

Why This Is a Warranty Item

What happens when a tub is unlevelResult
Frame and shell warp over timeDoor misalignment
Door misalignmentDoor leaks
Misleveled installationWarranty void

The warranty activation form your installer signs includes an initialed line confirming the tub is level with all legs touching, plus a watertight door check after a 20 minute fill. Completing those two checks honestly on install day prevents nearly all door leak calls. Misleveling is one of the items listed in what voids your warranty.

If Your Door Is Already Leaking

Re-check leveling first, following the steps above, and adjust the legs until the door closes smoothly into a watertight seal. Most door leaks resolve right there, with no parts needed. Then clean the seal and frame as described in door seal cleaning and care. If a properly leveled tub still leaks at the door, see water at the door: what to check or call (800) 480-6850 and we will help diagnose the seal and alignment.

Common Questions

How many leveling legs does my tub have?
Ella's Bubbles walk-in tubs have at least six leveling legs, and many models have up to eight, including center legs. Every single leveling leg must sit solidly on the floor with no gap underneath it. These adjustable leveling legs are critical for evenly dispersing the tub's weight and ensuring proper function.
Can the legs be raised another 2 inches?
No, the adjustable leveling legs on Ella's Bubbles walk-in tubs stop at their limit screw and cannot be raised another 2 inches. If you need the tub to be higher or lower than the leg range allows, you should discuss this with your installer and the Ella's Bubbles team before making any changes to the floor.
Why does the door sag when someone steps in even though the corners read level?
If your walk-in tub door sags when someone steps in, even if the corners appear level, it means the legs by the door are not carrying weight. This causes the frame to sag under the combined weight of the water and the bather. To fix this, perform the paper test on every leveling leg, not just the corners, and adjust each leg until it securely carries weight.
Why does my door rub or scrape the jamb?
If your walk-in tub door rubs or scrapes the jamb, it usually indicates that the tub is bowed down in the middle because a center leveling leg is not carrying weight. To correct this, extend the center leveling leg to raise the tub and open the door frame, allowing the door to clear the jamb. After adjusting the center leg, re-check the level on every side of the tub and verify that all legs are firmly on the floor.
Do the front legs really have to be screwed to the subfloor?
Yes, on the inward-swing acrylic family models, specifically the Standard, Standard60, Zen, Zen60, Flow, and the HomeCare, the front leveling legs must be screwed into the subfloor. Fastening these front legs helps prevent the tub's frame from shifting on that particular platform. Other Ella's Bubbles tub families rely solely on their adjustable leveling legs.
Does an unlevel installation affect the warranty?
Yes, an unlevel installation of your Ella's Bubbles walk-in tub can void the warranty. Misleveling slowly warps the tub's frame and shell, causing the door to fall out of alignment and the seal to leak. The warranty activation form requires your installer to confirm that the tub is level with all legs touching the floor and that a watertight door check has been performed.
Should I level again after the plumbing and electrical are connected?
Yes, you should re-verify the leveling of your walk-in tub after the plumbing and electrical connections are complete. These connections can sometimes shift the tub slightly from its initial leveled position. After all work is finished, re-check every leveling leg and the door closure, then perform the pre-installation water test before the walls are finished.
Can the tub sit on tile, or does it have to be on the subfloor?
An Ella's Bubbles walk-in tub can sit on either a subfloor or a finished tile floor, as long as the floor is level and rated to support the combined weight of the tub, water, and bather. Most installers choose to set the tub on the subfloor before tile is installed, but setting it on a finished tile floor is also acceptable.
Does Ella's Bubbles send its own crew to install my walk-in tub?
No, Ella's Bubbles does not install tubs directly. There is a network of third-party installers across most areas, and you are also welcome to hire your own installer. Whoever does the work, plan on both a plumber and an electrician, and make sure leveling every leg is the first step once the tub is inside.
Can I set the tub against the studs and tile down to the deck instead of using drywall?
The installation manual shows drywall around the sides of the tub, but it is possible to install the tub against the studs and then tile from above down to the top surface to create a watertight seal. Either way, the tub must be fully leveled with every leg carrying weight before the walls are closed in. Run the pre-installation water test before finishing the surround so any door issue can be corrected while the legs are still accessible.
Should I run silicone along the apron and the stainless steel door frame?
The apron is not sealed to the stainless steel door frame, so water can potentially get behind the door and under the tub. Once the apron is properly adjusted, running 100% silicone along the top edge of the apron and around the stainless steel door frame is a potential solution to keep water on the outside of the tub and apron surface. Level the tub and confirm the door closes evenly before sealing so you are not locking in a misaligned apron.
Is a brand new tub that is off by a sixteenth or a thirty-second of an inch close enough?
No. A brand new tub can arrive slightly out of level, by as little as a sixteenth or a thirty-second of an inch, with one leg not quite touching the floor. Even that small gap means the leg is not carrying weight, so run the paper test on every leg and adjust until each one sits solidly on the floor. Then confirm the door closes evenly into a watertight seal before connecting anything.

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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