Saltwater Pool Systems: Your Ultimate Guide
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Saltwater swimming pools are becoming an increasingly popular alternative to conventional chlorine pools. This guide covers a saltwater pool’s installation process, maintenance requirements, and costs to decide if this pool system is the right choice for your backyard oasis.
How Does a Saltwater Pool System Work?
Conventional pools use regular chlorine treatments to keep the water clean and clear, but saltwater pool systems use salt to generate chlorine. Every saltwater pool has a chlorine generator called a salt cell that converts the salt to chlorine. The salty solution in the water comprises two building blocks: sodium and chlorine.
This generator or saltwater chlorinator first splits the salt and water molecules into separate streams. Then, it uses an electrolytic process to split the salt—sodium chloride—and produce sodium hypochlorite and hypochlorous acid with sodium hydroxide as a byproduct. The products can clean and sanitize the water and pool components.
Ideally, the saltwater pool will have a saline solution of approximately 3,000–3,200 parts per million (ppm). You or your pool maintenance service will add salt at the beginning of the season, but you won’t need to add salt continually.
Compare this to chlorine pool systems, which require regular additions of chlorine-based cleaning treatments to keep the water and system clean. As the chlorine treatment mixes with the water, it produces hypochlorous acid, just like the salt cell does.
Benefits of a Saltwater Pool System
At first glance, chlorine and saltwater pool systems may seem similar. After all, they both ultimately use chlorine-based chemicals to sanitize and disinfect the pool. However, they use different mechanisms to ensure the pool has enough chlorine and hypochlorous acid for a fun and relaxing experience. For many homeowners, saltwater pools offer more advantages.
For example, saltwater pools are gentler on swimmers. Swimmers with sensitive skin don’t have to worry as much about dryness and irritation, and saltwater is also safer for your eyes if you’re swimming underwater.
Part of this is because the pool has lower chlorine levels. Saltwater pools have a stable salt concentration, and you don’t need to add harsh chemicals to the pool system throughout the swimming season. This also means the pool won’t produce high levels of chloramines or release a strong chlorine smell.
Seasonal operating costs are often lower because chlorine is not regularly added to the pool. You also don’t need to buy more supplies, monitor the chlorine levels, or purchase additional water cleaners when chlorine levels get too low.
The pool will produce more chlorine from the salt as needed with its saltwater chlorine generator. This means fewer hands-on maintenance tasks for you or your pool service. The saltwater is less harsh on equipment and features while simultaneously preventing algae and plant buildup, which can reduce the lifespan of freshwater pool equipment.
Drawbacks of a Saltwater Pool System
There are also unique challenges of owning a saltwater pool system that make some pool owners prefer conventional freshwater options. For example, chlorine pools don’t rely on electrolysis and have a more widely understood filter system.
Saltwater pools are more expensive to install. The overall maintenance and operational savings can cancel out the costs, but it can make the initial investment more challenging. Later in this guide, we compare the prices of the different pool systems.
Also, saltwater pools will occasionally need new parts. Expect to replace the salt cell approximately once every five years, depending on the conditions and usage. Salt can have corrosive additives, which may damage metal components. It’s important to order and use the right salt to minimize the presence of corrosive salts.
Finally, some buyers consider saltwater pools a complete alternative to chlorine pools, but this is not the case. Instead, saltwater pool systems have an alternative method of getting chlorine and using it to disinfect the pool. Freshwater pools use chlorine treatments, while saltwater pools convert salt to chlorine; chlorine is present in both options.
Saltwater Pool System Installation
Saltwater pool systems are a great option if you want a pool system that doesn’t require ongoing chlorine additives or have the smell of chlorine. We recommend deciding which installation process best fits your budget and property before you move forward with the pool installation.
Compatibility With Existing Pools
If you already have an in-ground chlorine pool, you can easily convert it to a saltwater system. You cannot convert above-ground pools to a saltwater system. Most conversions simply require a kit and labor from a professional installation team.
We recommend having a professional inspect your pool before you proceed with this option. A swimming pool service technician can determine whether the pool is compatible with the conversion, what equipment will work best, and how to protect vulnerable metal components throughout your pool system that might otherwise corrode.
Converting your pool involves adding pool-grade salt, installing the equipment, and rebalancing your pool water’s composition.
DIY vs. Professional Installation
As with many home improvement projects, homeowners can choose between professional installation and handling the installation as a do-it-yourself (DIY) project. However, installing a complete pool system is very complex. Hiring a professional service is often best, as any in-ground pool system uses electricity, chemicals, and complex mechanics.
Unless you have extensive or professional experience installing pools, you should hire a pool company because you get peace of mind, can enjoy your pool faster, and are less likely to accidentally violate the manufacturer’s warranty.
Installation Process and Costs
The installation process is relatively straightforward, whether you’re installing a new saltwater pool system or converting your traditional chlorine pool. Start by hiring a reputable service with good reviews and a long service history in your area.
The major steps in the process are choosing the right system and components for your pool based on its size, climate, and the types of controls you want to have. The cost will vary based on the pool size and complexity of the system but expect to spend around $400–$1,800* on parts to convert a 50,000-gallon in-ground chlorine swimming pool.
If a professional service is doing the installation, expect to spend up to $500 on labor for installation, setup, and testing. During installation, you must also add pool-grade salt, which will cost between $100 and $400.
*Cost figures in this section via HomeAdvisor.
Maintaining a Saltwater Pool System
Maintaining a saltwater pool is easier than maintaining a freshwater pool, but there are still many maintenance tasks you’ll need to prepare for. Consider the following routine maintenance tasks and the most common repairs.
Regular Maintenance Tasks
Most regular maintenance tasks will follow a weekly, monthly, and annual schedule.
- Weekly: Test the water chemistry to ensure appropriate chemical levels, and vacuum the pool to remove debris.
- Monthly: Conduct a test of the pool’s alkalinity, as excessive chlorine generation can change the relative alkalinity of the water.
- Annually: Hire a professional service to check the cyanuric acid levels, inspect the salt cell, and conduct seasonal tune-ups.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Your saltwater pool will have the occasional malfunction or broken component. Some of the most common issues you may need to troubleshoot are salt issues. Low salt levels may simply mean you need to add more salt, or they may indicate a problem with the equipment.
Pool service technicians can investigate the cause of low salt levels and determine a solution. They can also troubleshoot a malfunctioning salt cell to fix it or decide whether it needs replacing.
Other common problems with saltwater pools are algae growth (which requires algaecide) and cloudy or dirty water. These problems indicate low chlorine levels, and technicians can thoroughly inspect the pool, salt cell, and equipment.
Another common issue with saltwater pools is corrosion. You can install sacrificial zinc anodes that corrode in place of sensitive pool equipment, and then you can replace new anodes over time to provide continuous protection.
Cost Comparison: Saltwater vs. Chlorine Pools
Saltwater pools have a higher upfront cost than chlorine pools but lower operational and maintenance costs over time. Here’s a look at how they compare:
| Saltwater Pool | Saltwater Pool Over 5 Years | Chlorine Pool | Chlorine Pool Over Five Years | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Installation Cost | $25,000* | N/A | $23,000 | N/A |
| Salt or Chemical Cost | $70–$100 Annually | $350–$500 | $300–$800 Annually | $1,500–$4,000 |
Our Conclusion
Saltwater pools are becoming popular among homeowners who want to install or convert a new pool into a system requiring less maintenance and ongoing pool supply expenses. These pools are gentler on swimmers, don’t cost as much to maintain, and often provide a more relaxing swim experience. We recommend working with a pool company to install or convert your pool and provide ongoing servicing, repairs, and maintenance.
FAQ About Saltwater Pool Systems
Are saltwater pools completely chlorine-free?
Saltwater pools aren’t completely chlorine-free. The pool’s salt cells break the salt down into chlorine to disinfect the pool.
How often do I need to add salt to my pool?
Generally, you need to add salt to your pool once a year or swimming season for optimal sanitizing. Your technician will add salt and rebalance the pool during the seasonal setup, and you can monitor salt and chlorine levels throughout the season.
Can I convert my existing chlorine pool to a saltwater system?
Yes, you can convert your existing chlorine pool to a saltwater system. There are conversion kits and equipment compatible with most in-ground pools.
How long does a salt cell typically last?
A salt cell typically lasts five years, or approximately three to seven years, depending on the pool’s condition. Signs of a failing salt cell include low salt warnings despite adequate salt levels and green pool water.
Are saltwater pools more expensive than chlorine pools?
Yes, saltwater pools are initially more expensive than chlorine pools. However, they typically have much lower maintenance and material costs over time.
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