Generator Cell And Sensor Maintenance Is An Investment Of Time And Money
Saltwater generator cells require a cleaning every 90 days, or you will end up with calcium buildup. Skipping regular cleanings for six months or more shortens cell life, increases the likelihood that the cell will break, and the pool will eventually become swampy.
The cell in a saltwater generator cell must be replaced every two to three years. The replacements are an investment of about $500 to $800 .
You will also need to have a professional closely monitor and clean the sensor that determines how much salt needs to be added to the water, or you can end up with a serious chemistry imbalance.
Check The Salt Cell Every Three Months
Most salt generators have automatic alerts that flash when the cells need to be changed, but even if they dont, you need to inspect them consistently.
Youll be looking for buildup or debris that might have gotten past your filter.
If theres anything in it, flush it thoroughly with a high-pressure hose.
You may even need to chip calcium buildup away with a plastic tool.
Choosing A Size & Location
When you are remodeling to include a pool, size and location of your salt water facility will depend on the specifics of your property. Factors to consider include:
- Space: The size and shape of your yard will determine what size and shape pool will fit.
- Geography: Some features may require additional site prep or hinder accessibility, increasing installation costs: sloped property, underground rock faces, large trees, floodplains, utility lines, and/or local code.
- Personal preference: Smaller pools are cheaper to build and maintain. Larger ones can fit more people. You may also want to leave space for a deck, hot tub, or other added features.
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Crank Up The Salt Water Generator
Check your pools chemistry again. The ideal levels for your salt water pool are:
- pH: 7.4 7.6
- Chlorine: 1.0 3.0 ppm
- Salt: 3,000 3,500 ppm
Before starting the generator, its a good idea to go ahead and shock your pool with another type of pool shock, like cal-hypo, and then wait for your chlorine to return to its ideal level.
This is especially a good idea if you cant get your pool chemistry to balance, and should help stabilize all the levels.
Once the chlorine has returned to around 1.0 3.0 ppm, you can turn on your salt chlorinator system.
You can choose the amount of chlorine production you want for your pool, but if youve just shocked it and all the levels are in normal range, 50% production is a good starting point.
S For Winterizing A Salt Water Pool
Never closed a salt water swimming pool before? Not to worry! There are a few key differences compared to closing a regular chlorine pool, but its still a simple process that most pool owners can handle themselves. To prevent algae growth, surface stains and expensive pool damage, weve broken down the process for winterizing a salt water pool into 10 easy steps.
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Never Forget To Put Chlorine In
You know that time you went on vacation and didnt ask the neighbor to put some chlorine in the pool when you were gone? Not a fun treat to come home to a swamp. The good news about a salt water pool is that you can never forget to put the chlorine in, the chlorinator takes care of it for you.
The chlorine produced in a salt water pool contains no chloramine. Chloramine is a chemical that traditional chlorine contains, and it causes all of the adverse effects you generally think of when it comes to chlorine.
Chlorine can cause severe irritation of the eyes, skin, and lungs. Not only is it challenging to handle in overly chlorinated pools, sometimes just having to handle the chlorine to put in your pool can be dangerous. We all know a blonde who had her hair turn green after swimming in a chlorine pool. The chlorine that the salt water pools produce will eliminate these damaging side effects.
Reducing exposure to these common chemicals is a prime reason that people choose to convert their pool.
Salt Water Pool System Considerations
- The salt cell will need to be replaced every 3 6 years at the cost of about $500 to $800. Without a functioning salt cell, chlorine will not be created from the salt, and your pool environment will suffer.
- The saltwater that is splashed onto anything metal will eventually corrode that metal. It should be rinsed off as soon as possible.
- Saltwater will kill surrounding grass and some plants.
- A saltwater pool needs to be tested weekly with salt and pH levels rebalanced.
- Salt buildup must be cleaned off the salt cell and pool interior regularly.
- Salt can corrode specific metal rails, steps, etc., so dont install these in or near the pool.
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How Much Does It Cost To Convert A Pool To Saltwater
Converting Chlorine Pool to Salt Water Costs
Expect to pay between $500 and $2,500 to convert a traditional chlorinated pool to a salt water system, depending on the size and type of pool you have. Salt systems can feature self-cleaning and diagnostics, digital salt readouts, and the ability to control pool equipment.
Ottawa Pool Builders Provide Tips For Switching To Saltwater Swimming Pools
Depending on your skin type, chlorine can be a tricky option for your pool. Too much, and it irritates your skin and eyes. Too little, and your pool chemical balance is off. That doesnt even begin to touch upon the unmistakable chemical smell, which some find off-putting. Thats why, more and more often, people are choosing saltwater systems for custom pool and spa designs. Saltwater systems provide a softer, gentler pool sanitizing option compared to traditional pools.
If you want to convert your swimming pool to saltwater, heres everything you need to know before making the switch.
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Do I Need To Worry About Residual Salt
No, you have no reason to worry about the residual salt. The salt itself never caused damage, as much as the process of electrolysis did. The only way the salt could significantly cause any problems was if it was at the same levels found in seawater, but that would be next to impossible. Seawater has a saline level of 35,000 ppm. Compare that to pool water, which contains only a level of 3500 ppm at a maximum.
Drain The Water From Your Pool
Use a pool pump or a hose to entirely drain water from your above ground pool. There are pumps in the market that are specifically designed to remove water from above ground pools. These pumps can either be purchased or rented from your local pool supply store. You should take note of your citys regulations when it comes to dumping large amounts of water in alleyways and streets. If you are uncertain, it is advisable to seek guidance from your local water conservation department.
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How To Change Your Pool From Chlorine To Salt Water
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.
Install Your New Saltwater Pool Chlorination System
Install the chlorinator per the manufacturers specifications. You may be more comfortable having a professional handle the installation. The general installation process entails:
- Mounting the chlorinator and connecting it to a power source
- Integrating the salt cell into the pools plumbing system and linking it with the control board
- Inserting the sacrificial anode
- Letting the pump run before powering on the chlorinator
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Pick A Salt Chlorinator
There are many ways to pick a saltwater chlorination system. The best system is large enough to work with your pool, reliable enough not to need replacing for a long time, and reasonably affordable on your budget.
If youre hiring people to install your saltwater chlorination system, as most people do, they may be able to recommend specific manufacturers or systems to you. I am not going to do that myself because I have no stake in which system you buy. Instead, I strongly encourage you to evaluate your own options and needs, read reviews, and make your own decision there.
You should know that chlorinators vary in their features. Almost any system will let you change how much chlorine they produce, which makes it easy to adjust your pool, but advanced systems can also offer automatic cleaning, freeze protection, flow control, digital readouts, and other helpful information.
What Materials Are Needed To Convert To A Saltwater Pool
As neat as it would be to just add table salt to your water, to convert your pool to saltwater, first you’ll need a few necessary components . You’ll need the following:
You’ll also need to be sure to have proper electricity available to power the system.
Choosing the Right Salt Chlorinator System for Your Pool
The main component of a saltwater pool system is the chlorinator. A salt chlorinator system consists of two major parts: the salt cell and the control board. The salt cell is where the electrolysis takes place that converts the salt in your pool’s water to chlorine. The control board controls how much chlorine is generated.
Which system you choose is largely a matter of preference and budget, as some systems come with considerably more features than others. But what is most important is that you choose a salt system that is rated for your pool’s water volume. The most common ratings are 15,000 gallons, 25,000 gallons, and 40,000 gallons. You’ll just want to choose a system that meets or exceeds your pool’s water volume, and you should be in good shape.
The Importance of a Sacrificial Anode
The anode is added to your plumbing and connects via a wire to whatever piece of metal equipment you’d like to protect. The corrosion is then redirected to an inexpensive zinc anode, which can be easily replaced every few years. This will help keep your pool rust-free.
Don’t Forget the Salt!
BONUS: You know what goes really well with salt? PEPPER!
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How To Convert Your Pool To Salt Water
Although salt water pools have been around since the 1970s, their popularity has grown rapidly in recent years. This is due in large part to their reduced cost in upkeep. Theyre also easier on your skin, hair, and eyes, and youve probably heard salt water is healthier than chlorine, too.
Maybe youve been thinking about salt water pool conversion to take advantage of all those benefits. But what a hassle that change would be, right? Actually, the conversion process is fairly simple, so if youre thinking of doing it yourself, youre in luck.
Need Help Converting Your Pool To Saltwater
When I built my pool I installed a salt system and I can honestly say it is one of my favorite features of my pool. After the initial set up, I really did not had to worry about my chlorine at all. If you have decided that you want to convert your pool from traditional chlorine to salt then post any questions in the comments below and we would be happy to help. Also if you have already made the switch, we would love to hear about your experience. You can also always reach us by phone at 1-877-372-6038 with any questions.
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How To Convert A Pool To Salt Water
Chlorine is by far the most common type of pool, but by no means the most popular. More and more people are switching to saltwater pools to reap the benefits of a natural and completely safe method of keeping their pool water clean.
Making the switch from chlorine to saltwater is a big change, and a serious undertaking, but if you are committed, ready to do your research, and willing to put in a bit of effort then you can convert your pool to salt water without having to spend tonnes of money to hire someone else to do it for you.
Advantages of saltwater pools
Contrary to popular belief saltwater pools are not chlorine-free. Instead they produce their own chlorine from salt in a process that is known as electrolysis. Salt water pools are also significantly less salty than the ocean, about 90% less to be exact. That means they are less corrosive, and wont leave you covered in salt after a swim.
Safer: Salt water pools are safer than chlorine pools because they dont require you to store dangerous or volatile chemicals, like chlorine. They reduce the risk of accidents but still produce water that is just as free from bacteria.
Gentle: Sensitive swimmers know that chlorine is the primary cause behind red eyes and skin irritation. Salt water pools produce less chlorine and therefore cause less irritation.
How to convert your pool to salt water
1. Choose the right system
The formula to determine the volume of your pool is:
Length x Width x Average depth x 7.5
5. Add salt
Orders
Ready To Make The Switch
Pioneer Pools is one of the longest standing family owned businesses in all of Tucson. Were salt water pool conversion experts. If youre ready to make the switch or if you have more questions, feel free to give us a call at 520-881-7031 to schedule an appointment or speak with one of our pool experts.
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The Pros And Cons Of A Saltwater Pool
Even if you think you have made your decision to convert your above-ground pool into a saltwater pool, there are many pros and cons that you should know. Before conversion, take a look at the following pros and cons list so that any issues that come up or questions you have might get answered or resolved more quickly.
Some of the pros and cons of a saltwater pool include:
Pros:
- Saltwater is more healthy for the human body: Chlorine is a chemical that is not great for the human bodys skin, hair, or eyes. It also stings your eyes if you open your eyes underwater in a chlorine-rich pool. A saltwater pool is more healthy for the human body and is gentler on the skin and eyes.
- Save money on chlorine: With a saltwater system, salt gets converted into pure chlorine. This conversion process means you dont have to buy chlorine and add it to your pools water. Once your system gets set up, you will save money on chlorine purchases for the future of your pool.
- Low maintenance: a saltwater chlorinator is a low-maintenance pool. The pool needs less maintenance than a chlorine-rich pool because of the gentler chemical mixture. You also no longer need to regularly add chlorine to the water since the chlorinator does that naturally based on the salt cells salt.
Cons:
How Do Salt Test Strips Work
Test strips are the easiest way to test pools and they work the same for both chlorine and salt water pools.
Theyre made with pads on the end of the strips that are specially treated with a chemical that reacts with pool chemicals.
You just hold the strip under water for a few seconds and then let it set out for a few minutes.
Youll then read the color on the strip and compare it to the chart in your manufacturers instructions.
Easy peasy!
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Pools: Skip The Saltwater And Stick With Chlorine
Lets talk about pools! Have you been tempted to convert your chlorine pool to a saltwater pool? You might want to hold off.
We promise there is someone else reading this article right now who has already made the conversion and is considering converting back to a traditional chlorine system. Heres why.
Theres a lot of buzz out there right now about how saltwater pools are better than chlorine pools, but that isnt necessarily the case.
Although saltwater pools are touted to be easier on your eyes and skin, they come with a whole host of other issues you need to consider before committing to a saltwater system.
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.
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Water For Pools Delivery Cost
The cost to fill a pool with water ranges from $60 to $1,250, depending on the source.
- City water is the least expensive and most common choice at an average cost of $0.004 per gallon. For 15,000 to 30,000 gallons, you’ll pay between $60 and $120. In areas like California, where drought is common, you may pay overuse fines of up to $100.
- Well water can be chemically unstable. You may have to use half well and half transported water to save money. For 30,000 gallons of transported water, expect to pay about $1,250, including delivery.
Hire a Pro to Install Salt Water Pool
| $200-$1,500 |
