The Ella's Bubbles Lifetime Limited Warranty covers your tub's shell, frame, door, door seal, finish, and supporting equipment for life. A small number of items follow different rules, and the most important one is the Thermostatic Control Valve, or TCV. This article explains the TCV's one-year warranty, how water quality affects it, and how faucets that were not made by Ella are handled. For the full picture of what is covered, see What does the Ella's Bubbles Lifetime Limited Warranty cover?

First, Does Your Tub Have a TCV?

Depending on your faucet configuration, your Ella walk-in tub may include an Ella Thermostatic Control Valve that blends hot and cold water to your set temperature. Not every configuration includes one. For example, the dual-lever 5-piece fast-fill faucet uses separate hot and cold levers and is not thermostatic. If you are not sure which faucet you have, contact our team with your model and serial number and we will confirm it for you.

The TCV One-Year Limited Warranty

The published warranty states it directly: "Lifetime limited parts warranty does not apply to thermostatic control valve (TCV)." The TCV instead carries a one-year limited warranty, and that warranty "does not cover cartridge malfunction due to contaminated water with calcium, iron or other found heavy particles in the water resulting in cartridge getting stuck and TCV not operating properly." In plain terms, the TCV is warranted for one year against defects, but damage caused by mineral-laden or contaminated water fouling the cartridge is not covered at any point.

Protecting Your TCV from Water-Quality Damage

Because cartridge fouling is excluded, prevention matters. Here is what the warranty requires and what we recommend:

• The TCV must be protected with a filter or mesh in the water lines, and that filter or mesh must be cleaned periodically.
• Removal and cleaning of the TCV should only be performed by a licensed and insured contractor or plumber.
• Ella's Bubbles offers a cartridge cleaning service at our facility for a nominal fee covering labor plus shipping. Please confirm current pricing with our team.

For a step-by-step look at cartridge care, see TCV cartridge cleaning and replacement. Keep in mind that alterations or improper maintenance can affect your broader coverage as well, as explained in What can void my Ella's Bubbles walk-in tub warranty?

Faucets Not Made by Ella

The warranty is equally direct here: "Non-Ella brand faucets covered under manufacturers original warranty and are not covered by the Ella Walk-In Bath Warranty." If your tub was fitted with a third-party faucet, warranty service for that faucet comes from its own manufacturer, so hold on to its paperwork. Everything else on your Ella tub remains covered under the Ella warranty terms.

If Your Configuration Has No TCV

If your faucet setup does not include a TCV and you would like temperature-limiting protection, a qualified contractor can add an external temperature control valve to the hot water line. Be aware that adding one may reduce water flow and extend the tub's fill time, which is why we recommend having a licensed professional select and install it.

Still have a question about your coverage? We are happy to help. Open a ticket with our support team at ellasbubbles.com/support/new and we will get back to you promptly.