Your toilet pump is the device that allows new water to refill your toilet tank after each flush. Toilet pumps get a lot of use. Every time you flush, the pump gets a little more wear and tear on it. It’s normal to have to replace it every five years or so.
Time and Research Required 
If you want to learn how to fix a toilet pump and don’t have any plumbing experience, fixing your own toilet pump requires some time and research. Although very difficult, it is possible to replace your toilet pump yourself. If you are going to attempt to DIY, you need to use the following tools and steps.
Things You’ll Need
Before you take out your current toilet pump, be sure to gather these tools and materials.
- Two pairs of channel-type pliers
- Towel or sponge
- Bucket
- New toilet pump
How to Fix a Toilet Pump Step By Step
1. Before you begin, you need to shut off the water supply to the toilet. First, locate the shutoff valve on the water supply line coming up through the floor. Turn it clockwise until you can’t turn it anymore.
2. Next, flush the toilet to empty the tank. Use your sponge or towel to sop up any remaining water.
3. Now, it’s time to take out the old toilet pump. Using your channel-type pliers, disconnect the water supply tube from the base of the tank. There is a mounting nut that attaches the pump to the tank. You need to remove this using channel-type pliers. Now you can pull the pump out. Sometimes, the pump rotates when you are removing the mounting nut. You can avoid this by using your other set of pliers to hold it in place from the top.
4. To install the new toilet pump, place the rubber washer onto the tailpiece. This small device is vital for preventing leaks, so be careful not to discard it with the packaging.
5. Adjust the height of the toilet pump to be slightly higher than the overflow tube. The lid of the toilet should still be able to close perfectly.
6. Insert the new pump into the hole in the bottom of the tank. Turn it so that the water outlet nipple is aligned with the overflow tube. Using your hand, thread the mounting nut onto the tailpiece of the pump. Be sure to hold the top of the pump with the other hand to keep it from moving. Tighten the nut all the way using your pliers.
7. Reconnect the water supply tube to the pump with your hand. Finish tightening it using pliers.
8. Attach the rubber tube to the overflow tube. You may need to trim it if it is too long to prevent kinks.
9. Turn the water supply back on. The toilet will start to fill. It will automatically stop when it reaches the fill line. Flush and refill the toilet several times while checking for leaks. If everything looks good, you can replace the tank lid and start using the toilet again.
Oliver Can Fix Your Toilet Pump
If you still aren’t exactly sure how to fix a toilet pump, the plumbing professionals at Oliver can help. It is better to have a trained professional handle the task than to do it yourself. Contact us online today to get started on your toilet pump replacement project.