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How To Change Chlorine Pool To Saltwater

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Pool Water Delivery Cost

Converting Your Pool To Salt Water

A 15,000-gallon pool will cost from $80 to $160 using your garden hose or $600 to $1,200 trucked in. While its entirely possible to fill your pool with a garden hose, it will take some time. A water tanker holds about 9,000 lbs. of water, and youll need a tanker and a half of water. It costs more to hire tankers, but it is much faster.

  • City Water Having a pool can increase your water bill by about $4 to $20 per month, due to the 2 inches per week loss of water per day due to evaporation. The average price per gallon of water ranges from $0.002/gallon to $0.011/gallon .
  • Well Water Well water isnt treated whereas city water is. The metals and minerals can stain your pool wall and possibly turn the water brown. You can filter the water before it goes into the pool with something like a Hayword Bobby filter on the end of your garden hose which filters out the impurities, or treat the water once its in the pool with a metal control treatment or water clarifier.

Disadvantages Of A Salt Water Pool

While there are several advantages of a salt water pool, there are some drawbacks as well.

  • High pH & calcium build-up. Salt water pools have a tendency to see their pH levels rise. If you dont maintain your pool properly this can lead to a calcium building up as well.
  • Cost of salt cells. Although youre not paying for shock and chlorine tablets anymore, you will have to change the salt cell every 3-4 years. Expect to pay anywhere from $200-$700 depending on the type of equipment you have.
  • Investing to convert. Since there is a cost associated with converting from chlorine to salt water you need to decide whether its worth it for you. Do you intend to stay in your home and use your pool for years to come or are planning on selling in a couple of years? The answer could determine whether you want to make the switch.
  • More frequent parts replacement. Salt is corrosive which means metal parts may need to be replaced more frequently. This is another cost that can add up.

Labor Cost To Install Saltwater Pool

The labor cost of a saltwater pool installation runs from $8,000 to $30,000. The lowest price doesnt include the excavation, but it does include all installation work. Excavation costs about $9.22 per cubic yard to a 6-foot depth, so it would cost about $920 to dig a hole big enough for a 15 x 20 pool and $1,230 for a 20 x 30 pool. The highest cost is usually all-inclusive and includes the patio, fencing, plumbing, and electrical work.

Above-ground pool salt systems are much easier to set up, and can sometimes be installed in less than an hour, or have it installed professionally for $300 $500.

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Best Time To Switch From Baquacil To A Salt Chlorine Generator

If you close your pool down for the winter months, making the switch is best done when you open your pool in the spring as this should be the time when the residual of baquacil is the lowest. Outside of this advice, the best time to switch may be when you cant get the pool water clear, no matter what you try, and all the pool store has to offer is another $100 solution.

If you have been using Baquacil because of an aversion to chlorine do not worry. Salt chlorinator pools have all of the good traits of chlorine, without the smelly water, itchy skin, red eyes and damaged hair. The water is soft and silky, without a hint of chlorine or saltiness.

If you have any other questions on why, how, or when to convert from Baquacil to a Salt Chlorinator, leave a comment below, or give us a call anytime, at 800-288-7946!

In The Swim Staff Blogger

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Salt Water Pool Quick Answers:

How to Convert a Chlorine Pool to Salt Water
  • Making Salt Water Pool Maintenance Simple
  • Salt water pools have become more popular among homeowners in recent years, and for good reason. A salt water pool is just as clean as a chlorinated pool, but with many other benefits no chlorine smell, healthier water, and fewer chemicals, to name a few. If youre a pool owner and are interested in salt water pool conversion, youve come to the right place.

    And heres the good news converting a chlorinated pool into a salt water pool is probably easier than you think, whether youre working with an above-ground swimming pool, an inground pool, or even a hot tub.

    Lets explore everything you need to know about going salty, including the advantages of salt water pools, the type of pool systems youll need, how to convert a pool to saltwater, the cost, and pool maintenance requirements, and how to test and treat the water.

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    Salt Water Pool Test Kit

    A salt water pool test kit costs about $15 to $55, and saltwater test strips cost $11 to $25 for 40. A test kit lets you know if you need to rebalance the salinity and pH level of your saltwater. To keep a healthy pool, the water should be tested once a week. Not all salt water pool test kits give results for the salinity of the water, so check to make sure the one you want to purchase gives that result.

    Check Your Existing Systems

    The first step is to examine all of your existing parts and systems. This includes the pipes, interior pool material, pumps, and all other systems that either touch or are close to your water. I recommend this for one reason: You need to know if salt will hurt those systems before you convert.

    Its possible to replace smaller parts early, but if your interior pool material is a bad choice for saltwater, then you may need to wait until you replace it to switch over. At that time, you can change to a material that works better with salt.

    If all of your components are suitable for the conversion, then youre ready to proceed.

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    Saltwater Pool Vs Chlorinated Pool

    A saltwater pool gets cleaned using a filtering system called a salt chlorine generator. The system uses electricity to turn salt into chlorine, which cleans the pool.

    In a chlorinated pool, chlorine tablets or granules are physically added on a regular basis for the same purpose.

    In both pool types, its important to still check the pH levels and alkalinity of the pool so it stays sanitized and the chemicals stay balanced.

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    How To Change Your Pool From Chlorine To Salt Water

    How to Convert your Swimming Pool to a Saltwater Pool a Step by Step Video

    There are many things to consider when switching from chlorine to salt water, the first being the type of salt system. This is determined by the size of your pool. You also need to take into consideration how much you want to spend on a salt system. The price starts around $400 and goes up from there.

    The next big decision comes in whether to do it yourself or hire a company to do it. With such a big job, its best to spend a little more and hire a professional. Flower Mound Pool Care & Maintenance can help you make the switch as well as make sure you are choosing the right equipment.

    Depending on the size of your pool and the equipment chosen, making the switch from chlorine to salt water can cost anywhere from $1,200 to $1,500.

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    Will Residual Salt Affect My Pool

    No, the leftover salt in your pool water does not pose a danger to your pool equipment. The electrolysis created by the reaction to the salt cell is what caused most of the corrosion in your pool, not the salt itself. Without the cell, the salt will be relatively harmless.

    And before you fire up the keyboards talking about the corrosiveness of seawater, be aware that seawater contains 35,000 ppm salinity level, and your pool water has about 3,500 ppm tops. After you have purged so much water to lower your CYA, your pool waters salinity level will be a fraction of the 3,500 ppm.

    S To Converting Your Pool To Saltwater

  • Balance the water in your pool according to your installation manual specifications.
  • Note: You do not need to drain your pool.
  • Add the required amount of pool-grade salt to achieve the desired concentration. Salt quantity is based on the volume of water in your pool. The bigger the pool, the more salt is needed.
  • Broadcast the salt across the pool surface it may take up to 24 hours to fully dissolve.
  • Note: Consult your installation manual. The manual should provide a table detailing the amount of salt required. to view our guide to salt chlorination.
  • Mount the chlorinator controller on a wall near your pool equipment pad. Make sure to consult the installation manual for best results.
  • Wire the chlorinator controller for power according to the manual specifications.
  • Install the chlorinator cell into the pool plumbing after the filter.
  • Note: The chlorinator cell should be the last piece of equipment on the pool pipe before the water returns to the pool.
  • Connect the chlorinator cell to the chlorinator controller. Thats it for the pool equipment!
  • Turn on the pool pump, check for any leaks and operate it for several hours to help circulate the water and dissolve the salt.
  • Turn on the salt chlorinator and start enjoying your salt water pool!
  • Once you have converted to a saltwater swimming pool, continue maintenance as usual. This will help to assure clean, clear water and extend the life of your pool equipment.

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    How Much Salt Do I Need When I Change Over My Pool

    When converting to saltwater, youll need about 440 pounds of salt for a 15,000-gallon inground pool or around 11 bags of salt. Ideally, the ratio of salt to water is 2,700 3,400 parts per million . At 3,500 ppm, humans can taste and sense salt, but at around 3,000 ppm of dissolved salt in the pool, the water will feel soft and silky.

    Maintaining Your Swimming Pool

    How to Convert a Chlorine Pool to a Saltwater Pool

    You could take these tasks on yourself, or you can hire a pool company to do the work for you. Flower Mound Pool Care & Maintenance can take this job off your hands with a scheduled pool cleaning plan. We can test your water and make sure all levels are where they need to be for safe swimming.

    For the past 14 years, we have proudly served much of the Texas area and continue to do so today. We have helped countless customers make the switch from salt water to chlorine pools and maintain them properly.

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    Can You Change Your Swimming Pool From Chlorine To Salt Water

    Youve had a chlorine pool ever since day one of being a pool owner. But, after seeing and experiencing salt water pools you decide its time for a change. The big question is, can you change pool from chlorine to salt water? The answer is yes! But, if you think all salt water pools are free from chlorine, think again. Salt water pools have a salt water chlorinator that is used to create chlorine. Instead of adding chlorine to treat the pool, you add salt. This creates a slight saltwater solution that your pool filters. During this process, the saltwater passes through a salt cell and gets a small electrical current. This creates a pools own chlorine which helps to keep it clean.

    So why switch?

    People make the switch from chlorine to salt water because the presence of salt in the water lowers the eye and skin irritation you may get from swimming in a regular chlorine pool. Also, the chlorine produced by a salt water pool is of higher quality than that of the chlorine found in a regular pool.

    What About The Pool Liner

    If you have an inground pool with a galvanized wall behind the liner, and your liner springs a leak, the wall could potentially corrode due to the salt in the water.

    Salt can also cause an issue for above ground pools, which tend to have metal parts make up the top of the pool. These metal parts, when exposed to salt, can rust over time

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    Installing Saltwater Pool Extras

    There are many extras you can purchase to enhance your swimming experience.

    • Add a Salt Water Hot Tub Installing a hot tub salt water system costs$500 to $1,700. Any hot tub can be turned into a salt water hot tub, but you can get a molded, hexagonal tub for $3,000 to $10,000. For an inground hot tub, costs can reach around $20,000.
    • Handicap Pool Lift A handicap pool lift is available for in-ground pools. One version with a seat that lowers into the water costs $3,355. There are many options for handicap pool lifts, making the pool accessible to nearly every person.
    • Patio or deck a concrete pool deck can cost from $3,000 to $10,000, depending on size, design, and complexity.
    • Pool Enclosure can cost between $6,000 $8,000
    • Pool Fence costs from $600 $4,400
    • Water Features

    Take Precautions For Your Pool Liner

    CONVERTING OUR CHLORINE POOL TO SALT WATER!!!!

    If you have a vinyl liner, youll be happy to know you can use a salt chlorinator system in your pool without taking any extra precautions. The liner will be exposed to lower levels of chlorine, so it may even extend your liners lifespan.

    However, many inground pools have galvanized walls behind the liner. If your liner springs a leakeven a small leakallowing salinized water to seep out against the steel wall, the wall will eventually corrode.

    Similarly, above ground pools with a lot of metal parts can rust over time due to exposure to salt water. If you have a resin above ground pool, you can make the switch without this concern.

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    The Cons Of A Salt Water Pool

    Salt water pool conversion does come with a few drawbacks. Most homeowners feel that these drawbacks are so mild that they arent enough to change their minds. If youre willing to deal with a bit of a startup costs and some changes to your maintenance plan, its simple enough.

    • Startup costs
    • Specialized outside help

    Can You Convert A Saltwater Pool To Chlorine Upgraded Home

    In recent years, our society has been on a march towards the chemicals are bad style of life. Saltwater pools popularity are a sign of it, really. The thing is, saltwater pools are not exactly easy to care for. Thats why people like to have chlorine pools. Though rare, youll hear of saltwater pool owners who want to convert their gig into chlorine. Is that even a thing?

    Technically, saltwater pools already have chlorine in them. The salt IS chlorine. However, if you want to go for the full fixture change, there is some good news. Its actually easier to convert a saltwater pool back to a chlorine pool than it is to go the other way around.

    Converting a pool from one type of sanitation to another is something you shouldnt do lightly. It will cost a fair amount of money and may change how you do things. Heres the scoop

    Don’t want to do it yourself?

    Get free, zero-commitment quotes from pro contractors near you.

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    Setting Up Your Control Box

    Depending on the model, the control box usually hangs easily enough on a couple of screws. Then, its power wire will connect to the same power source as the pump .

    Usually this means disconnecting all power for safety, tracing the pump’s power cord to where it is plugged in, and connecting the salt system’s cord right there the same way. Be sure to follow all instructions in the manual, follow all local safety codes, and ensure this is done by a qualified person. You can also check this out in more detail in a future update, when we cover How to Install a Saltwater Chlorine Generator!

    How To Maintain A Saltwater Hot Tub You Still Need Chemicals

    How To Convert your Pool to a Salt Water System in 5 Easy ...
    • Chemicals saltwater hot tubs also need chemicals, besides chlorine\bromine which are produced naturally. It is very important to note that this is just one component of your spa water chemistry. Test your hot tub water chemistry with Test Strips for Spas and Hot Tubs and maintain recommended levels with hot tub chemicals. Its easy to get all the chemicals you need for a saltwater hot tub in one kit Hot Tub Chemical Balancer Maintenance Kit.

    The table shows the optimal water chemistry for hot tub spas which you should maintain. Check it with

              
    Parameter
    Cyanuric acid 50 to 80 ppm
    • Shock saltwater hot tubs also need to be shocked weekly, after intensive use or if you havent used it for a long time. You should also shock the hot tub if your water chemistry levels are good, but the water is cloudy or smells. You can use chlorine shock or non-chlorine shock for saltwater hot tubs .
    • Cell inspection the cell should be inspected every 3 months. Unplug the system and inspect the cell for a scaling white deposit. If it exists, you should clean the cell with vinegar or muriatic acid .

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