Why You Should Stop Using Chlorine Tablets Every Week in Your Sacramento Valley Pool

Provident Pools
Aug 5, 2025
3 min read

If you’re like many pool owners in Sacramento, Davis, or Woodland, chances are you reach for those chlorine tablets (trichlor or dichlor) every week without giving it much thought. They’re convenient, easy to use, and seem like a simple solution for keeping your pool clean.

But here’s the truth that most big box stores (and even some pool guys) won’t tell you:

Overusing chlorine tablets is slowly ruining your pool water.

In this article, we’ll break down exactly why chlorine tablets aren’t always your friend, how they affect your pool chemistry, and what you should do instead to keep your water crystal clear — especially in the hot, dry Sacramento Valley.

The Problem With Chlorine Tablets: Cyanuric Acid Overload

Most chlorine tablets (like trichlor or dichlor) are stabilized — meaning they contain cyanuric acid (CYA) to protect chlorine from sunlight. That’s great in theory, especially in sunny places like Sacramento County and Yolo County, but there’s a big problem:

CYA Doesn’t Evaporate. It Builds Up.

Every tablet you add increases your CYA level. And once CYA levels go over 100 ppm, your chlorine becomes much less effective.

Here's what happens:

Algae starts to form — even with chlorine present
Your pool gets cloudy
You spend more on shock and chemicals
Your chlorine readings look “fine” but aren’t sanitizing properly
Eventually, your only fix is a partial or full pool drain

Sacramento Valley Pools Are Especially at Risk

With blazing summer temperatures and high UV exposure, pools in cities like Davis, Woodland, Folsom, and Sacramento need more frequent chlorine dosing — which leads to faster CYA buildup if you’re relying on tablets.

Here’s the Shocking Math

Each 3” trichlor tablet adds about 6 ppm of CYA to 10,000 gallons.
Using just 4 tablets per week can raise your CYA level by over 100 ppm in a single season.

Signs Your CYA Is Too High From Tablet Overuse

You have to keep increasing chlorine just to stay clear
Your pool turns cloudy after swimming
You have to shock more often
You’ve had to drain your pool before
Your pool smells like chemicals, but isn’t clean

What to Do Instead of Weekly Tablets

Here’s how smart pool owners in the Sacramento Valley are adjusting their maintenance routine:

1. Switch to Liquid Chlorine or Cal-Hypo

These forms of chlorine do not contain CYA
They sanitize just as effectively (and sometimes better)
Your CYA levels stay stable

2. Install a Salt System

Saltwater pools generate chlorine automatically
Less manual dosing and no added CYA
Lower long-term chemical costs

3. Test CYA Monthly

Keep it between 30–50 ppm for most pools
For salt pools, aim for 60–80 ppm
If it's over 100 ppm, it’s time to drain

4. Hire a Local Expert

Let our team handle the chemistry so you don’t have to worry about over-stabilizing your water.

Serving Sacramento, Davis, Woodland, and the Entire Valley

At Provident Pools, we’ve helped hundreds of pool owners across the region ditch the tablets and regain control of their pool water.

Whether you’re in:

Downtown Sacramento
North Davis
South Woodland
Folsom
Roseville
Rocklin
Or anywhere in between…

We can test your CYA levels, drain if needed, rebalance your water, and set you up with a low-maintenance, tablet-free plan.

Don’t Let Tablets Sabotage Your Summer

Using tablets for occasional chlorination or vacation backup is fine. But if they’re your main chlorine source, your pool may already be heading for chemical overload.

Let’s get ahead of the problem — before a costly drain becomes your only option.

call/text: 916.954.1909