You relax, we maintain.

As part of regular pool maintenance, your water must be drained and refilled—much like changing the oil in your car. Over time, total dissolved solids (TDS) and cyanuric acid (CYA) build up in your pool, making it necessary to refresh the water.

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Las Vegas pools historically needed draining every 3–5 years. However, rising temperatures, prolonged heat waves, and extreme evaporation rates have accelerated this timeframe. Over the past decade, pools have required draining every 2–3 years, and with recent record-breaking summers, many pools now need it annually. The trend of increasingly hotter summers is expected to continue, making regular water replacement more crucial than ever.

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The Southern Nevada Health District sets guidelines for when pools should be drained. Public pools must be closed if cyanuric acid (CYA) levels exceed 80 ppm or total dissolved solids (TDS) exceed 1,800 ppm, as these levels reduce chlorines' ability to sanitize the water. While residential pools are not legally required to meet these thresholds, we follow similar principles to maintain the health and safety of your pool.

Please note that we strongly recommend draining your pool during the cooler months, well before temperatures approach 90°F, as extreme heat can damage plaster and Pebble Tec surfaces.

What is Total Dissolved Solids (TDS)?

TDS measures all the substances dissolved in your pool water, including magnesium, salt, calcium, sulfates, iron, and other minerals. Everything added to the water increases TDS, including chlorine, algaecide, and clarifiers. Even swimmers contribute through sweat, deodorant, hairspray, and other personal products. Additionally, wind-blown debris and rainwater raise TDS levels.

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However, the biggest factor is evaporation. As water evaporates, fresh water refills the pool—but the minerals and solids remain behind, continually increasing TDS levels. Evaporation doesn’t just dilute the water—it concentrates the dissolved solids, which can cause scaling, cloudy water, and increased chemical demand. Because Las Vegas water is extremely “hard” due to its high mineral content from Lake Mead (which has become even harder over time due to drought conditions), TDS builds up much faster here.

High TDS can cause:

-Water quality issues
-pH imbalance, leading to corrosive or scaling water
-Cloudy water and calcium deposits
-Skin and eye irritation for swimmers
-Damage to pool surfaces and equipment
 

Salt Pools:

Although saltwater systems use less chlorine, they still contribute to higher levels of TDS and calcium buildup because of the salt and mineral content in the water. Even with the lower chlorine usage, the presence of salt and calcium still requires regular maintenance to prevent scaling and other water quality problems.

What is Cyanuric Acid (CYA)?

Cyanuric acid (CYA), also known as "pool stabilizer" or "pool conditioner," is essential for preventing chlorine from breaking down too quickly in sunlight. Without CYA, up to 90% of chlorine can be destroyed in just two hours.

Unlike other chemicals, CYA does not break down over time. It accumulates in the water, especially when using chlorine tablets that contain stabilizer. Our company exclusively uses stabilized chlorine tablets because they are the industry standard and designed for residential pools like yours.

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Under 50 ppm – Chlorine remains stable and effective.
Over 100 ppm – Chlorine becomes less effective, and water can become corrosive with a dangerously low pH.
Over 200 ppm – CYA can embed into the plaster, making draining and acid washing necessary for plaster pools.
 

High CYA levels can:

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-Stain and damage plaster, tile, Pebble Tec, and fiberglass
-Harm pool filters and heaters
-Reduce chlorines' effectiveness, leading to algae growth and sanitation issues
 

The Role of Extreme Heat & Evaporation

The extreme summer heat, increased evaporation, and hard water from Lake Mead are all contributing to higher TDS, calcium, and CYA levels faster than ever before. Without proper maintenance, high levels of these contaminants can cause costly damage to pool surfaces, equipment, and water chemistry—making your pool harder to maintain and less safe to swim in.

When an Acid Wash is Recommended

For plaster pools only, we may recommend an acid wash if CYA levels exceed 200 ppm. This is because CYA can become embedded in the plaster, and simply draining and refilling the pool may not fully resolve the issue.

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Why Draining Your Pool is Important

If we recommend draining your pool, it is due to these water quality issues. Choosing not to drain your pool may lead to problems beyond our control, including damage to your pool surfaces, equipment, and water quality.

By addressing these issues now, you can ensure your pool remains safe, clean, and properly balanced for the seasons ahead.