DFW source water averages 280 ppm calcium hardness — already in range out of the tap.
Seasonal pool care in North Texas is its own science. The advice below is calibrated to DFW pollen counts, freeze risk, hardness levels, and heat. Generic national pool advice gets you most of the way; the local nuance closes the rest.
What hardness does
- Below 200 ppm: water dissolves plaster looking for calcium
- 200–400 ppm: ideal
- Above 400 ppm: starts scaling on tile, heater elements, salt cells
Adjusting
- Raise: calcium chloride (slow dissolving)
- Lower: partial drain + dilution (no chemical lowers calcium)
In DFW, hardness almost always trends UP over the year due to evaporation. Plan for a partial drain every 18–24 months.