How to Clean Your Tower Garden Pump

📅 How Often Should You Clean Your Tower Garden Pump?

Give your pump a clean at least once a month. Check it sooner if roots are gathering around it, debris is building up or the water flow seems weaker than usual.

A calendar reminder makes this an easy job to remember. While you're checking the reservoir, take a look at the roots around the pump too. They don't need to wrap it in a blanket!

🧽 How to Clean Your Tower Garden Pump

Have a small brush and somewhere to rinse the cover ready. Pump designs can vary, so follow the instructions for your model if its cover or filter looks different from the one shown here.

1. Unplug the pump. Disconnect it from the power supply before reaching into the reservoir. Don't rely on the timer being between watering cycles.

2. Bring the pump up through the access port. Hold the pump body rather than pulling on the electrical cord. If roots have gathered around it, gently free them first. Disconnect the hose if needed to remove the pump, following your model's instructions.

3. Remove the intake cover. Gently release the cover as shown in the video or your pump instructions. It may be a little snug the first time, but don't force it or pry apart the motor housing.

4. Clean the filter, if your pump has one. Rinse away roots and debris. A small brush can help with anything that doesn't want to leave.

   

5. Rinse the cover and accessible intake. Clear away remaining roots and gunk with clean water and a soft brush. Keep debris out of the reservoir rather than giving it another trip around the Tower.

6. Put everything back together. Replace the filter if present, secure the cover and reconnect the hose if you removed it.

7. Return the pump to the reservoir. Make sure the water level is sufficient to keep it submerged and the hose isn't kinked. Keep roots clear of the intake.

8. Reconnect and check the flow. With dry hands and dry electrical connections, reconnect the pump to its normal timer setup. Watch a watering cycle and confirm water reaches the planting sites.

And that's it! One small maintenance job done, and your pump is ready to get back to work. 🌱

🎥 Prefer to Watch? Here's the Video

Sometimes it's easier to see how the cover comes off than read about it. Follow along with this quick pump-cleaning video.

💧 Cleaned the Pump, but Still No Water?

Before declaring the pump finished, check a few simple things:

• Power: Is the pump connected, and does the outlet have power? Check whether a GFCI outlet has tripped.
• The timer: Is it set correctly, and are you checking during an active watering cycle?
• The reservoir: Is there enough water to keep the pump submerged?
• The intake: Have roots or debris blocked it again?
• The hose: Is it connected securely and free of kinks?
• Water distribution: If water reaches the top but isn't flowing properly to the plants, check the shower cap holes for blockages.

Unplug the pump before making adjustments. Don't leave it running without enough water, and stop using it if the cord or plug is damaged.

If these checks don't resolve the problem, contact Tower Garden Customer Care for help. For plants that are already looking droopy, visit our Troubleshooting Hub and work through the watering and wilting checks promptly.

🔧 A Spare Pump Is a Handy Backup Plan

Pumps can fail even when you've looked after them. And of course, they don't check whether it's a convenient time first!

Keeping a compatible spare means you can get water moving again while you sort out the original pump. Check that the replacement is suitable for your Tower Garden model and setup.

Shop the Tower Garden Replacement Pump →

What About the Warranty?

If you think your pump may still be covered by its warranty, contact Tower Garden Customer Care to confirm eligibility and arrange the next steps. Coverage depends on your original purchase and the applicable warranty terms.

Replacement timing can vary, so having a spare is useful even when you're covered.

Read Tower Garden's Current Warranty Details →