Royal Pool Service knows how to care for a saltwater pool

A saltwater pool is an excellent alternative to the traditional chlorine pools that have been being built for decades. The common misconception of saltwater pools is that they have no chlorine in them, this is far from the truth. Although they contain much less chlorine than chlorine pools, they use a salt cell to convert salt into chlorine. If you are thinking about converting your chlorine pool into a saltwater pool, read more to find out the benefits, downsides, and costs of a saltwater pool compared to a chlorine pool.

Benefits of Saltwater Pools 

Operational costs: One of the most attractive features of a saltwater pool is the operational costs. If you get over the initial installation price, a saltwater pool is more cost-effective to operate than a chlorine pool. Your chemical costs will come down because you won’t have to add chlorine every week, instead, you will be adding salt.

Consistent chlorine production: Another benefit of having a saltwater pool is consistency. When adding chlorine tablets or sticks manually, your water chemistry will always spike and come down depending on how much chlorine you add. A salt generator will consistently create the same amount of chlorine for your pool day in and day out. Keeping your water balanced.

Happier skin: Although there are currently no studies showing that saltwater pools are healthier than chlorine pools, salt tends to be less of an irritant on the eyes, skin, and hair vs chlorine. It is also a safer alternative for small kids and pets that accidentally or purposefully take a few sips of the pool water. 

Dangers of Saltwater Pools 

If you’ve ever been to the beach and seen what salt can do to metals, boats, or docks it might discourage you from converting to a salt water pool. The truth is, corrosion can damage your saltwater systems (pumps, filters, heaters, metal pipes, and more) or outdoor equipment such as metal deck equipment or lights if it is not properly maintained.

But don’t be too quick to blame the salt! Chlorine pools suffer from corrosion just as much as saltwater pools. The problem of corrosion is not exactly caused by the salt itself, but the acidity it forms if the water is not balanced. Acid is known to deteriorate decks, stones, and metals around your saltwater pool. This can be easily combatted with regular water testing, the addition of salt, and proper cleaning. If you need help with saltwater pool maintenance, read more about how Royal Pool Service can help you HERE.

Lastly, the consistent levels of chlorine production from the salt cell can be a blessing and a curse. If you had a party with tons of guests, or experience a thunderstorm the salt cell will not automatically adjust to these situations. If your saltwater pool Experiences a large number of contaminants, it might require extra shocking to restore balance in your water.

How Does Royal Pool Service Maintain a Saltwater Pool?

1. Like with chlorine pools, proper pool circulation in saltwater pools is a must. It is especially important in saltwater pools to avoid any scale build-up. We will properly position jets and set the pressure of your pump to optimal levels.
2. Frequent cleaning of your salt cell is vitally important. The salt cells get really hot producing sodium hydroxide. This in addition to calcium in your water makes the inside of your salt cell the perfect place for scale-up. Water will NOT be able to clean the inside of your salt cell. We use a special liquid salt cell cleaner to properly rinse out the scale build-up in your salt cell.
3. Test your water regularly with test strips. One of the downsides of a salt cell is that it produces sodium hydroxide as a byproduct when converting salt into chlorine, which directly raises the level of your pH. We can easily regulate this with a chemical called ph down. Ph, along with your chlorine levels, salt levels, and alkalinity levels will be properly balanced with our unique maintenance plan.
4. Lastly, regular cleaning of the surface, vacuuming the bottom of your pool, and emptying out skimmer baskets of any leaves and debris can be done on a regular weekly, bi-weekly, bi-monthly, or monthly basis.