Salt Systems: Pros & Cons

Salt Systems: Pros & Cons
December 18/2018

If you are thinking about switching from a traditional chlorine pool to a salt water pool, there are several things to consider.  There are many misconceptions about salt water pools, not the least of which is that “salt pools are maintenance-free!”  This is simply not true.  In order to keep your water safe for swimmers and to avoid damaging your pool and its equipment, all water balance parameters (pH, alkalinity, calcium hardness, stabilizer, etc.) must be regularly maintained, just like with a traditional pool.  The main difference is that with a salt pool, chlorine is generated on-site, rather than being added in the form of liquid chlorine or pucks.  

This process works by adding pool salt to your water, which dissolves, and then passes through the chlorine-generating salt cell as it is circulated.  The salt cell has special coated metal plates in it that are electrically-charged.  As salt water passes through the cell, electrolysis occurs, splitting the salt and water into hydrogen and hypochlorous acid (chlorine) that sanitizes your pool.  This process repeats indefinitely, as the salt converts to chlorine, which then converts back to salt in an ongoing loop.     

Most salt pools operate between 2,500 and 4,000 ppm (parts per million) of salt in the water, depending on the type of system.  For comparison, the ocean has about 35,000 ppm of salt, which is ten times more.  While many people love having a salt water pool, we strongly encourage people to consider the following pros and cons of salt systems before making a final decision.


Pros:

  • On-site/automatic chlorine generation is very convenient  
  • No heavy liquids or chlorine pucks to purchase, transport, carry, and store - making salt a safer and easier alternative to regular liquid chlorine pools
  • Less time is spent monitoring chlorine levels
  • You can go on vacation without as much concern for the pool turning green due to lack of sanitizer (although you can achieve this same result in a non-salt pool by using chlorine pucks with an automatic chlorine feeder – a.k.a. chlorinator)
  • People describe salt water as “softer” and more comfortable on the skin (it’s not actually softer by true definition, but the salinity of the water is closer to that of skin cells, making it feel “softer”).  This can also be achieved in a non-salt pool by using water softening products such as IPG Skin Silk which has borate, a natural softener.
  • Salt pools typically have lower chlorine levels which makes it better for those who are allergic to chlorine, or who get red eyes and irritated skin from it

Cons:

  • Large capital cost up-front for the salt system and installation of the plumbing & electrical
  • Salt cells are very expensive and only last 5 years on average (sometimes less)
  • Other costly problems with the salt equipment can occur (power boards, flow switches, sensors, for example)
  • High salt levels increase the electrical conductivity of the water which often leads to corrosion and shorter life-spans of pool equipment (liners, masonry, coping, pumps, heaters, and any other metallic items)
  • Some salt has to be added each season due to water dilution – the bags are heavy
  • The pool still should be chemically shocked once a week and all other balancing chemicals are also needed - just like a traditional pool
  • Salt pools use more electricity than regular pools in order to power the cell
  • The salt cell has to be removed and cleaned regularly, to remove calcium build-up
  • The salt chlorine generation process produces a by-product – sodium hydroxide.  This by-product has a very high pH level which will constantly raise the pool water’s pH.  This will require regular addition of muriatic acid to lower the pH back to within range.
  • Since the chlorine that is being generated is unstabilized, it can “burn off” very quickly when exposed to the sun’s UV rays.  Salt pools therefore require higher levels of stabilizer (80 ppm) than traditional pools, and this level should be monitored regularly. 


Bottom line: 

The decision to switch to a salt pool should be based more upon the convenience and comfort factors, rather than anticipated cost savings.  In fact, salt pools are generally more expensive in the long run, all things considered.  The intangible benefits can be great as long as you are comfortable with the potential negatives. 

If you have any follow-up questions, please don’t hesitate to ask us!



   


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