When Should You Drain Your Pool?

Why Draining and Refilling Your Pool Is Essential for a Healthy Swim

At Sunrise Pool & Spa, we often get asked, “Do I really need to drain my pool?” The short answer? Yes — but not too often, and definitely not without a plan. Draining and refilling your pool is a vital part of long-term pool maintenance that helps protect your investment and keep your water clean, safe, and inviting.

Draining and refilling your pool will keep the water healthy

Why You Need to Drain and Refill Your Pool

Over time, even with proper chemical balancing and regular cleaning, your pool water builds up what we call Total Dissolved Solids (TDS). These are leftover minerals, chemicals, and debris that don’t evaporate or break down. As TDS levels increase, your pool chemicals become less effective, leading to:

• Cloudy water

• Algae growth

• Eye and skin irritation

• Corrosion of pool surfaces and equipment

At a certain point, no amount of shocking or filtering will fully restore your water quality. That’s when a fresh start is the smartest option.

How Often Should You Drain and Refill?

For most pools, we recommend draining and refilling every 3 to 5 years, depending on a few key factors:

• Usage: Heavily used pools may need draining more often due to faster buildup of TDS.

• Water quality: High calcium or metal content in your local water can speed up the need for replacement.

• Chemical history: Pools that have required frequent shocking or heavy chemical use may reach their limits sooner.

Of course, your specific timeline may vary, and we’re happy to test your water and let you know when it’s time.

When to Drain and Refill a Pool

1. High Total Dissolved Solids (TDS)

   • Over time, water accumulates minerals, salts, and other substances.

   • TDS levels above 1,500–2,000 ppm can make your chemicals less effective.

2. Water Quality Issues

   • Persistent algae, cloudy water, or trouble balancing chemicals may indicate the need for a full refresh.

3. Staining or Scaling

   • Mineral buildup or stains on walls and tiles may result from water saturation.

4. Repair or Maintenance

   • If you need to resurface, fix cracks, or install new equipment below the waterline.

5. Bad Chemical Imbalances

   • If calcium hardness or cyanuric acid (CYA) levels are out of control and can’t be corrected with additives.

Benefits of Draining and Refilling

• Easier Chemical Balancing

  • Fresh water is easier and cheaper to treat than "old" saturated water.

• Improved Water Clarity and Quality

  • Eliminates contaminants and microscopic debris that can’t be filtered out.

• Reduces Risk of Staining and Scaling

  • Helps protect plaster, tiles, and pool equipment.

• Better Swimmer Comfort

  • Reduced eye irritation, skin dryness, and odor when water is properly balanced.

The Sunrise Pool & Spa Advantage

When you call us for a drain and refill service, we will advise you through the entire process:

• Test water chemistry before and after refill

• Recommend method for draining

• Recommend method for refill

• Rebalance the water chemistry post-refill

We’ll make sure your pool is clean, safe, and ready for your next swim — with no surprises.

Time for a Refresh? Let’s Talk!

Not sure if your pool is due for a drain and refill? Our experienced team is here to help. Contact Sunrise Pool & Spa today for a water test or to schedule a consultation. A healthier, more enjoyable pool could be just one drain away.