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Water Trapped Inside the Door Seal Tube: How to Remove It

▶Glossary7
  1. How Water Gets into the Seal
  2. Clearing the Water with a Shop Vacuum
  3. Keeping the Seal Fresh
  4. When the Seal Needs More Than Drying
  5. Related Guides
  6. Common Questions
  7. Still Need Help?

Water that collects inside the hollow rubber door seal is easy to remove with a shop vacuum. Place the suction nozzle over each open end of the seal tube and run the vacuum for a few seconds, and it will pull the trapped moisture out. The seal on an Ella walk-in tub is a hollow tube, and when the door is shut the ends of that tube are exposed, so a little bath water can work its way inside. Water inside the tube does not by itself mean the seal is failing, but clearing it out regularly keeps the tube fresh and prevents stale water and mildew.

How Water Gets into the Seal

The door gasket is a continuous hollow rubber profile that compresses against the door when it is latched. The two ends of that profile are open rather than capped. During a bath, and especially when the door swings open, water can run along the door frame and into those open ends. Support has also noted that a small amount of water can collect behind the seal where there is a gap between the seal and the frame. Moisture in either place is not the same as water escaping the tub while it is full.

Clearing the Water with a Shop Vacuum

  1. Drain the tub completely and open the door.
  2. Find the two open ends of the seal tube along the door frame.
  3. Hold the shop vacuum nozzle firmly over one end of the tube and run the vacuum for a few seconds, then repeat at the other end.
  4. Wipe the door frame and the face of the seal dry with a towel.

Suction at the ends is the method support recommends. It removes the water without pulling the seal out of its channel or stretching the rubber.

Keeping the Seal Fresh

Vacuum the seal whenever you notice water in it and make it part of your routine cleaning. Leaving the door open after your bath lets air move across the gasket and the door frame so both dry faster. If you see water standing in the door frame itself rather than inside the seal, see is it normal for water to sit in the door frame after draining, which covers that separate situation and how to dry it.

When the Seal Needs More Than Drying

Moisture inside the tube is a maintenance matter. A seal that is torn, flattened or letting water onto the bathroom floor while the tub is full is a different problem. In that case open a ticket with photos of the seal and your serial number so support can review it under the parts warranty. Ella does not send technicians, so any replacement is fitted by you or a local installer with guidance from support.

Common Questions

Why does water get inside my door seal?
The door seal is a hollow rubber tube with open ends. When the door is shut those ends are exposed, so water running along the door frame during and after a bath can enter the tube. A small amount can also collect behind the seal where it meets the frame.
What is the best way to get the water out?
Use a shop vacuum. Hold the nozzle over each open end of the seal tube for a few seconds and the suction pulls the moisture out. Then towel the frame and seal dry.
Does water inside the seal mean it is leaking?
No. Water inside the tube comes from the open ends, not from a failure of the seal against the door. If water is reaching the bathroom floor while the tub is full, that is a sealing problem and you should send photos to support.
How often should I vacuum out the seal?
Do it whenever you notice water in the tube, and include it in your regular cleaning routine. Leaving the door open between baths helps the seal and frame dry on their own so there is less to remove.
Can trapped water cause mold in the seal?
Stagnant water left in the tube for long periods can turn musty, which is why owners ask about it. Vacuuming the ends regularly and letting the door air dry keeps the tube clean. If dark spots have already formed, wipe the outside of the seal with a mild, acrylic-safe cleaner and keep vacuuming the ends.

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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