Water Chemistry /
How to Increase Stabilizer in a Pool
To raise cyanuric acid, first test the water, then add pool stabilizer exactly as the label directs with circulation running and safe handling precautions.
Archive date: this article was written for PoolSkimmer on Oct 23, 2026 and given the earlier archive date of Feb 19, 2026 so the blog reads as an organized archive. It was not published on that date.
The safest approach to raising pool stabilizer
Before you do anything, verify that your cyanuric acid (CYA) is in fact low. Once you have done so, introduce a pool conditioner or stabilizer designed to put the CYA back up. Be sure to run the pump for proper circulation and adhere strictly to what the label and your pool manual say; there is no room for guesswork here.
Precautions before adding stabilizer
You do not want to apply the wrong fix on account of a poor reading or an issue with circulation. Take a moment to go over the essentials:
1. Put the water through its paces with a test strip or kit that measures CYA. 2. Be certain the number is low and not already where it should be. 3. Verify normal operation of the filter and pump. 4. With the pump off for safety, have a look at the skimmer and basket for any debris.
Hayward’s own maintenance advice is to make a habit of regular testing and to keep the skimmer and filter clean so that circulation is as effective as possible.
Proper procedure for adding stabilizer
Stick with products made to put cyanuric acid into the water, whether that is granular stabilizer or a system using stabilized chlorine which will build up CYA in time. Read the label and use the method it prescribes for your particular pool.
Some things to bear in mind:
- Have the pump running.
- Don’t mix chemicals and keep them apart.
- Make sure children and pets are out of the way.
- Put on the PPE the label calls for.
- For dissolving or dosing, follow the equipment manual.
Never dump chemicals in such a way as to concentrate them on a piece of equipment or one spot in the pool. If there is a feeder or skimmer, use only what the manufacturer has approved.
When the level doesn’t seem to budge
It is not unusual for CYA to take some time to show up evenly in the water. A dirty skimmer or weak filtration can give you a result that doesn’t tell the whole story.
There are pitfalls to avoid, like retesting too soon, overcorrecting on the strength of a single reading, or ignoring cloudy water. And while low CYA may be why your chlorine is burning off in the sun, remember that stabilizer is there to mitigate UV loss; having too much of it will cause its own set of chemistry issues down the road.
What to do if the numbers are still off
Should you find the pool has algae, cloudy water or ongoing sanitizer trouble after you have added stabilizer, put a halt to it and look at the water balance again. There is value in calling in a qualified professional if you are in doubt about the correction needed, or if the pump and skimmer are not performing as they should.
Seek outside help if the water is not safe for swimming, if you are seeing wild swings in your CYA readings, or if there are faults with the filtration system.
Maintaining steady levels
The idea is to get the cyanuric acid to a point where the chlorine does its job without the risk of high cya problems, and then to hold it there. Good habits and regular testing are key once you have raised the level.
Keep up with the routine: skim the surface, vacuum what has settled, brush the walls and floor, and service the filter as the manual directs. And when you are cleaning out the skimmer basket, turn the pump off first. Predictable water chemistry is a matter of good circulation and consistent care.
Sources and further reading
- [Hayward: Weekly pool maintenance](https://www.hayward.com/maintenance/weekly-pool-maintenance)