Draining your pool: when and why you might need to

pyramidpoolsatx
Jun 4
4 min read

Updated: Aug 29

In short...

The main reasons why you might need to drain your pool are: High TDS, High Phosphates and severe algae blooms, High CYA and repairing structural damage.
In Austin, TX the best time of the year to drain your pool is early Spring or late Fall, avoiding severe heat and heavy rainfall and freezes.
Iproper draining can cause serious damage to the pool and the environment, especially to inground pools. It’s worth having experts like Pyramid Pool Service handle it safely.

We get it—draining your pool feels like a big deal. After all, the golden rule of pool care is usually: keep the water in the pool. But sometimes, hitting the reset button on the water in your pool is the smartest move you can make for your backyard oasis. In Austin, Texas where the sun blazes, the rains pour, the winds are strong and the water quality can be a bit unpredictable, knowing when and why to drain your pool is key. Let’s dive in.

Why you might need to drain your pool

1. High TDS (Total Dissolved Solids)

Over time, your swimming pool water can accumulate dissolved solids like salt, minerals, phosphates, metals, and stabilizers (CYA). Once TDS (total dissolved solids) levels get too high, your water can no longer absorb the chemicals needed to stay balanced and safe. No amount of chemical treatment will work effectively in this scenario and draining and refilling is often the only solution.

2. High phosphates and severe algae blooms

Austin’s warm climate and leafy green landscape is ideal for algae, and phosphates are algae’s favorite food. While phosphate removers are available, in extreme cases it can be more efficient and cost-effective to do a partial or full drain instead of continuing to fight with chemical treatments. For context the ideal range for phosphates in your pool is 0-100 ppb (parts per billion).

Severe algae blooms can sometimes resist even aggressive chemical treatment. In these cases, draining the pool allows you to thoroughly clean surfaces and refill with fresh, balanced water to prevent future blooms.

3. High CYA (Cyanuric Acid)

If you rely heavily on stabilized chlorine tablets during the brutal Texas summer, you’ve likely added a lot of CYA to your water. Too much CYA can hinder chlorine’s ability to sanitize effectively. Not only does the CYA hang around in your water, but it also absorbs into the plaster. Performing an acid wash in this situation can really help budge stubborn CYA in plaster. A good preventative for this situation is a partial drain at the end of the swim season to keep levels in check.

4. Water quality issues

If your pool water has become persistently cloudy, smelly, or causes skin irritation—even after testing and treating—it may be time to start from scratch. Pool draining and refilling can quickly restore a clean, swimmable environment.

5. Repairing structural damage

If your pool has cracks, leaks, or damaged surfaces, draining is often necessary to complete repairs. Especially in Austin where shifting soil and tree roots can cause structural issues, it's best to consult with a pool professional like Pyramid Pool Service when facing these kinds of repairs.

When should you drain your pool?

In Austin, timing is everything. Here are some tips:

Early Spring or late Fall: If you are draining for yearly proactive maintenance, avoid draining in peak summer heat or during rainy seasons. Ideal times are mild, dry months when temperatures are moderate. While Austin doesn't have freezing winters, fall or early spring can be a smart time to drain for renovations, equipment upgrades, or deep cleaning—before the hot season begins again.
After heavy chlorine use: At the end of the swimming season, especially if you've been using stabilized chlorine, a partial drain helps rebalance CYA.
Before repairs: Drain in advance of planned work so you can assess conditions and schedule maintenance.
When water chemistry can’t be balanced: If tests show excessive TDS, phosphates, or CYA—and treatments aren’t working—consider draining. You’ll probably want to contact a professional for this service, as draining in the middle of Summer can be tricky to get right without causing damage to your plaster/ pool surface.

Tips for draining your pool in Austin, TX

Check local regulations: Austin has specific rules for discharging pool water to protect local waterways. Make sure to follow city guidelines.
Watch the weather: Avoid draining if rain is in the forecast, as it can flood the pool shell or delay refilling.
Plan the refill: Refilling can take hours (sometimes more than a day depending on the size of your pool) and will add to your water bill—be ready. Austin Water does not have a time-of-use (TOU) pricing for water usage, where rates vary based on peak and off-peak times so keep this in mind.
Call a professional: Improper draining can cause serious damage to the pool and the environment, especially to inground pools. It’s worth having experts like Pyramid Pool Service handle it safely.

Conclusion

Draining your pool isn’t something you do every year—but it’s an essential part of long-term pool care, especially in a place like Austin, TX with high summer temps, heavy rain events, and hard water.

If your pool is showing signs of high TDS, phosphates, or CYA buildup—or you’re just not getting the water clarity you want—Pyramid Pool Service is here to help. We’ll evaluate your pool chemistry and determine whether a partial or full drain is right for your situation.

Call us today to schedule a consultation and take the guesswork out of pool maintenance OR check out our Services page for more information on our Pool Draining and Start Up services.

Happy swimming, Austin!