What Is in the Crate: Loose Parts, Panels, Supply Lines, Drain Caps and Documents to Account for Before the Installer Starts

Before anyone declares a part missing, look inside the tub and under the frame. When your Ella walk-in tub is packed in Chicago, every small item, including drains, handles, hardware and accessories, is individually wrapped, boxed and placed inside the tub or under the frame before the tub is wrapped in plastic and bubble wrap and crated. The installation paperwork is attached to the tub itself. Most "missing" screws, caps and supply lines turn up in that parts box or taped behind a panel. This checklist walks through what should be in the crate by category so you and your installer can account for every piece.

How the Small Parts Are Packed

This quality-control tour shows the final stretch of your tub's journey: after leak testing and running every pump, the tub is cleaned and dried, directions and warning labels are attached, and the handles, spigots, drains and other accessories are individually wrapped and boxed. The tub is then re-wrapped in protective plastic and bubble wrap, the installation paperwork is attached, and the shipping case is mounted around it. Knowing that sequence tells you where to look on delivery day. Watch: Ella's Bubbles: Walk-In Tub Quality Control and Testing with chapters and a full transcript.

The Checklist by Category

• Panels. A removable front apron, typically with two access panels, and one reversible end panel that can go on either end. Tubs shorter than 60 inches also include an extension panel to fill a 60 inch alcove, with a few exceptions: the Ultimate, Transfer60, Big4One, ShaK and the two-seat tubs are 60 inches or longer, and the Front Entry and Mobile do not include one either. A second end panel is available through where you purchased if both ends of your tub will be exposed. Some owners opt out of the end or extension panel at order time to reduce plastic waste, so check your order if one is not in the crate.
• Drain parts. The drain body is under the tub. Dual-drain tubs ship with two end caps for the T-type ports that are not connected; the single-drain Standard, Zen and Flow family ships with one end cap for the unused port. PVC pipe connections to the house drain are not included.
• Supply lines. Ella fast-fill faucets include two 3/4 inch by 5 foot braided stainless steel supply lines. Shut-off valves are not included and are supplied by your plumber.
• Faucet and hand shower. The faucet set ships assembled but not hooked up to the tub so the tub can ship fully drained. If the faucet pieces are not sitting on the deck, look for them in the parts box. The pull-out hand shower and its 5 foot retractable braided hose are part of the set.
• Grab bar hardware. On tubs with a deck-mount grab bar, the bag holds the chrome bar, two escutcheons, four rubber washers, two large metal washers, two bolts and an Allen wrench. Keep the large metal washers with the bar; they go under the shell, and installing the bar without them can crack the acrylic and void the warranty.
• Documents. The owner's manual, which includes the two-page warranty activation form, plus the installation paperwork attached to the tub. Hydrogen tubs also ship with their individual test results.

Not in the crate by design: shut-off valves, PVC drain fittings and the tile flange kit. See water supply lines and shut-off valves and tile flange and wall finishing for what your installer supplies.

Telling the Panels Apart

Watch: Ella's Bubbles: Understanding Extension and End Panels with chapters and a full transcript.

This video identifies each panel by name and position: the reversible end panel that covers the plumbing and frame on the open end, the extension panel that fills the gap in a 60 inch alcove on the left or right side, and the front apron with its removable access panels. It also explains that the apron attaches with clips, screws, hook-and-loop tape or magnets depending on the model, which is useful when you are counting fasteners, and reminds you that every removable panel comes off before the tub is moved into the house. Panel details by model are in extension panels and filler kits by model.

Where the End-Panel Screws Hide

One of the most common "missing part" calls we receive is about the two white screws for the end panel. Check behind the end panel first; they are often taped to the back of it. If not, look for a small bag in the parts box that was placed inside the tub. Screw caps for the access panels are usually in the same bag.

If Something Is Truly Missing

1. Finish the search: inside the tub, under the frame, behind every panel, and in the bottom of the crate.
2. Photograph the crate, the packing and the area where the part should be.
3. Report it within 48 hours of receiving the shipment. Ella's published policy asks you to save all packaging material and to inspect for concealed damage, visually and operationally, before filing. Contact where you purchased the tub, or open a ticket at ellasbubbles.com/support/new or call (800) 480-6850 with your order number, the serial number and your photos.
4. Keep the crate and all packaging until the installation is complete. Returns are accepted only in original packaging.

Signing for the delivery is covered separately in the delivery inspection checklist.

Common Questions

Not sure whether a part belongs in the crate? Open a ticket at ellasbubbles.com/support/new or call (800) 480-6850 with your model and a photo, and we will confirm what should be there.

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