How Often Should You Drain Your Pool? Expert Advice
Drain Type |
When to Use |
Partial Drain |
Minor chemical imbalance, slightly high TDS |
Partial Drain |
Preparing for seasonal maintenance |
Partial Drain |
Diluting after small contamination |
Full Drain |
Persistent algae growth |
Full Drain |
Heavy calcium or scale buildup |
Full Drain |
Major repairs, resurfacing, or system conversion |
Why Draining a Pool Is Sometimes Necessary
Even when your pool looks clean, there’s a lot going on beneath the surface. Over time, it collects minerals, chemicals, body oils, and sunscreen that make your water harder to manage. These build-ups interfere with chemical effectiveness and water clarity. That’s when draining comes in handy—it gives your pool a reset.
Sometimes, draining is needed for more than just the water. You might need to resurface, repaint, or repair your pool. Other times, seasonal changes like closing your pool for winter might require a full or partial drain. When things like algae, odor, or discoloration appear and won’t go away with treatments, that’s your cue.
General Guidelines for How Often to Drain a Pool
How often you should drain your pool isn’t an exact science, but there are solid general rules to follow. Most pools do well with a full drain every three to five years, as long as they’re maintained regularly.
- In-ground pools: Usually need a drain every 3–5 years.
- Above-ground pools: May require more frequent draining depending on their materials and usage.
- Saltwater pools: Often build up salt and other minerals faster, so a drain every 2–3 years is more likely.
Key takeaway: Even if the water looks okay, over time it becomes harder to treat. A scheduled drain helps reset everything and keeps your pool in great shape.
Factors That Affect Pool Draining Frequency
Many outside and inside factors can influence how often you need to drain your pool. These include usage, environment, and even the water source itself.
- Heavy use: Pools with a lot of swimmers or daily use collect more oils, lotions, and debris, which leads to faster water contamination.
- Weather and climate: Hot and dry climates increase evaporation, which concentrates chemicals and minerals. Rain-heavy regions dilute chemicals and affect pH balance.
- Water chemistry: If your water constantly has chemical imbalances even after treatment, a drain may be necessary to reset the balance.
- Contaminants: Floodwater, dirt, pet hair, or lawn chemicals can enter the pool and cause trouble. Sometimes draining is the only way to remove them.
- Water hardness: Living in areas with hard water causes calcium buildup, which means you might need to drain more often.
Visible Signs It’s Time to Drain Your Pool
Sometimes your pool lets you know it needs a fresh start—and the signs are pretty hard to miss.
- Recurring algae: If algae keeps coming back no matter what you do, the water may be oversaturated with nutrients.
- Chalky residue: White or grey scaling on pool walls or tiles often means calcium levels are too high.
- Stubborn water chemistry: If pH or chlorine levels stay out of balance despite constant treatment, draining helps restart clean.
- Unpleasant odors and cloudy water: Smells and murky appearance suggest organic material or chemical saturation.
- TDS readings: A Total Dissolved Solids level over 1500 ppm usually means it’s time to partially or fully drain your pool.
Best Practices: Draining Do’s and Don’ts
When draining your pool, doing it the right way can save you from big problems down the road. Let’s break it down.
Do:
- Check local codes: Some cities regulate where and how you can drain your pool water.
- Shut off equipment: Turn off pumps, heaters, and electrical systems before starting the drain.
- Use a proper pump: Only use a submersible pump designed for draining pools.
- Drain during mild weather: Ideal seasons are spring or fall, when extreme heat or freezing temps won’t harm the pool shell.
Don’t:
- Drain during extreme temperatures: Hot weather can crack the plaster, and cold weather can freeze exposed surfaces.
- Use the pool’s regular pump: It’s not made for draining water and could burn out.
- Let the pool sit empty too long: In-ground pools can shift, crack, or even float up due to pressure changes from the soil.
- Dump into storm drains: Always confirm where the water can legally and safely go.
Partial vs. Full Pool Draining
Depending on the issue, you may not need to drain all the water. Sometimes a partial drain is enough to improve water quality.
- When a partial drain works: If your TDS is a little high or your chemicals just need adjusting, draining 30% to 50% of the water may fix the problem.
- When a full drain is best: Full drains are ideal for serious algae infestations, calcium scaling, or when doing repairs and upgrades.
A full drain resets the entire system, while a partial drain is more about fine-tuning. Knowing which one you need depends on what you’re trying to fix.
DIY Pool Draining vs. Hiring a Professional
Draining your own pool might sound like a weekend project, but it comes with a few risks. If you’re thinking about doing it yourself, make sure you’re prepared.
- DIY route: You’ll need a submersible pump, long hoses, and a place to send the water. You’ll also have to monitor the drain to make sure nothing overflows or floods your yard.
- Professional help: Pool pros know local laws, carry the right equipment, and understand how to drain without damaging the structure. They’ll also help with refilling and rebalancing afterward.
Hiring a professional might cost a bit more, but they can save you time and prevent serious damage—especially if your pool is old, built into a slope, or located in a high water table area.
Conclusion
Draining your pool isn’t something you’ll do every season, but it’s one of those maintenance tasks that really pays off when done right. Keeping track of water quality, chemical levels, and visible signs of trouble helps you know when the time is right. Whether it’s every three, four, or five years—or sooner due to build-up or algae—draining resets your water and gives your pool a fresh start.
Key takeaway: Don’t wait until your pool becomes unmanageable. Stay ahead of cloudy water, scale buildup, or stubborn chemical issues by knowing when to drain and how to do it properly.
FAQs
Is it okay to drain my pool during summer?
Hot summer days aren’t ideal for draining. The intense heat can cause plaster or liners to crack. Try to wait for milder weather in spring or fall.
Can I use pool water for my garden or lawn?
Not really. Chlorine and salt in pool water can harm grass and plants. It’s best to dispose of pool water according to local rules.
How do I know how much water to drain?
It depends on the issue. Minor imbalances might only need a 30–50% drain. But if you’re dealing with serious scale, high TDS, or algae, a full drain is usually the best move.
Will draining help fix chemical balance issues?
Yes. If chemical adjustments just aren’t working anymore, draining resets your pool’s chemistry and gives you better control moving forward.
How long does it take to refill a pool
Most pools take 12 to 24 hours to refill, depending on size and water pressure. Keep an eye on it so it doesn’t overflow or go unbalanced.
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