Salt Water Pool Maintenance

SALT GENERATOR POOL MAINTENANCE

Hazardous to handle and store, chlorine can irritate the skin and the eyes. It’s no wonder, then, that many people opt for salt water pools, which offer some big advantages over traditional chlorinated swimming pools.

Salt Water Systems vs. Traditional Chlorinated Pools

Salt water pools aren’t as salty as seawater. In fact, they have only about one-tenth the salinity. Second, they aren’t completely chlorine-free because they are, in fact, chlorine pools. Instead, the system uses a process called electrolysis to create chlorine, which disinfects the water.

What are the Pros and Cons of a Salt Water Pool?

Salt Water Pool Advantages

  • Because they have lower chlorine levels, salt water pools are much gentler on the eyes and skin.
  • Traditional chlorine pools require owners to store and handle chemicals.
  • Salt water pools produce softer-feeling water, which many find desirable.
  • Because the salt cells produce chlorine on a trickle basis as needed, the pools require less vigilance to maintain chlorine levels compared to traditional chlorinated swimming pools.

Disadvantages of Salt Water Pools

  • Salt water pools require a larger initial investment, and reinvestment after about 8 years,  making them much more expensive than traditional pools.
  • More complex than traditional pools salt water pools often require experienced technicians even for minor problems.
  • Salt can cause damage to certain materials, so you may have to avoid using specific types of heaters, fixtures, underwater lighting, liners and even some types of masonry work.
  • The generating cells require special chemicals to prevent cell damage over time.

What is a Salt Chlorine Generator?

The primary piece of machinery in a salt water pool is the salt chlorine generator. Using electrolysis, the generator breaks dissolved salt into hypochlorous acid and sodium hypochlorite, two sanitizing agents used in chlorine-based swimming pools. The continuous process also prevents the buildup of chloramines.

A salt chlorine generator is often incorrectly called a salt water filter. This is inaccurate, as the generator does not filter pool water. A separate salt water filter removes debris from the pool.

What Kind of Salt Does a Salt Chlorine Generator Use?

Three types of salt are used with salt chlorine generators: solar salt, mechanically evaporated salt, and mined salt.

  • Solar salt is derived from seawater evaporated by the sun, and contains impurities such as dead brine shrimp and bactertis. Impurities make the salt generator (and the salt water filter) work harder.
  • Mechanically evaporated salt is also made from sea water, but generated heat is used to evaporate the water instead of sunlight, which burns of organic matter. Mechanically evaporated salt may, however, include pool-damaging minerals.
  • Mined salt is dug from the ground, and is considered the purest form of salt.

How Much Salt Does My Pool Need?

The amount of salt your pool requires depends on the level of salt needed for your salt chlorine generator to function properly. Check the owner’s manual to find this amount–it usually ranges from 3,000 to 4,000 ppm (parts per million).

The number of gallons in your pool and its current salt levels determine how much salt to add. Use a salt water test kit to determine the pool’s current salt level, then calculate how much salt you need based on the pool’s size in gallons with a salt table, subtracting the current salt level (your generator manual should contain a salt table).

As an example, a 20,000 gallon pool with a current salt level of 500 Ppm would require 501 lbs of salt.

How Much Does a Salt Generator Cost?

A salt chlorine generator can usually be purchased for $600 to $800. Bear in mind the generator is only one part of the salt water pool system. With a salt water filter and other components,  a saltwater chlorination system costs between $2,500 to $3,500. To replace the system every ten years and the generator twice and purchase maintenance chemicals yearly would cost about $500 yearly.

How Long Does a Salt Chlorine Generator Last?

The salt cells used in most residential salt water pools are good for 10,000 hours of operation, or approximately three to five years. The life of a generator depends on multiple factors, including the frequency of pool maintenance, salt level, water chemistry, and other factors.

Maintenance

Salt generator pool maintenance is little different from other chlorine treated pools. It is important to realize that the generator does not replace anything in the pool except the need to add chlorine as this is made by the generator. For ease of maintenance, do the following:

  1. Vacuum the pool or use a robot to remove dirt and debris that has accumulated on the bottom. More frequent vacuuming can be beneficial but it should not be done less than once each week.
  2. Check the pressure or vacuum gauges on a sand or Diatomaceous Earth filter to determine if the filter requires backwashing. Backwash following the filter manufacturer’s directions. At a minimum, it is recommended to backwash twice monthly for a short period of time. Note: Some manufacturers produce a product that helps remove deeply-set dirt during the backwash process. Such products may help in improving filter performance during the season. If the pool has a cartridge filter, the cartridge should be inspected to determine if cleaning beyond a simple rinsing is required. Regardless of filter type, if the media is unusually dirty, it should be cleaned with a quality filter cleaner made for pool filters.
  3. Add water as needed. There should be plenty of water to prevent the skimmer from vortexing and sucking in air. Check and adjust pH and total alkalinity. Test sanitizer residual and adjust the generator as needed to maintain sufficient chlorine level. Monthly: use a salt test kit to determine salt level and adjust if needed. Salt levels will not change rapidly and may only need more salt once or twice per season and in many cases not at all.
  4. Add a sequestering agent every week. Even if metals are not detected in the water tests, they can contaminate when least expected and calcium can precipitate to form scale or cloudy water. The small amount of sequestering agent used weekly will be far less costly than the expense incurred in acid washing or stain removal. This will also help reduce scale buildup on the salt generator cell.
  5. Add a cell protection chemical that helps reduce oil and grease buildup and protects and extends the life of the cell by reducing other scaling agents that are not inhibited with a standard sequestering agent.
  6. Add a maintenance dose of clarifier to help the filter in removing even the smallest particles that can otherwise lead to hazy water conditions.
  7. Shock oxidize the water using a non-chlorine shock oxidizer. Regular shock oxidation will help prevent the formation of combined chlorine, red eyes, odors and skin irritation. The shock treatment will also help the chlorine work better.
  8. Add a maintenance dose of algaecide or all-in-one products like c-pool . The algaecide will prevent algae growth even if the generator system were to fail or in the event of heavy bather loads or rainfall.
  9. Add an enzyme oil and grease digester or products like c-spa to help break up scum lines and reduce filter fouling.
  10. Clean along tile lines, surrounding pool areas and patio furniture.