Things You Should Know Before Converting Your Swimming Pool From Chlorine To A Salt Water System
What’s better... a salt water pool or a chlorinated pool?
Boy, that question will bring out a dozen different opinions. Looking through the information available on the Internet alone (see 'related links' at the end of this aticle), one can easily become overwhelmed as passions seem to run both ways as to which is better, salt or chlorine.
Salt pool systems became popular because they’re very low maintenance -- at first. They require very little in the way of expensive chemicals or day-to-day upkeep. And the convenience of always being swim ready and always having soft water sure beats the harsh red eye and dry skin experiences that can result with a chlorinated pool system.
After a swim in a new salt water pool, most people could easily be convinced that a salt pool system is the way to go.
But, how would things measure up 3 years after you’ve converted your chlorine pool system to a salt pool system? Here are some things to think about...
Salt Speeds Up Wear & Tear
Any salt-rich environment is going to be hard on components.
Case in point:
I once bought a car that had spent its 5-year life on an island in the South Pacific. The last 4” of the trunk lid had literally dissolved away. This was a common occurrence, thanks to all the salt in the air.
Back to your 3-year-old salt pool system...
In that first 3 years, you will likely be faced with several issues:
- Chances are, the deck around your pool will turn to mush and need to be replaced.
- Not unlike the highway salt that destroys bridges and freeway supports over time, any concrete, brick or stone facing around your pool will likely become coated with a powdery flaking material and mortar will weaken and eventually fall out.
- A minor water leak around the pump in a chlorine pool system would be a simple nuisance that could be ignored without fear of further damage. But with a salt water system, your pump would likely seize up within a few days and need to be replaced.
- Don’t forget the diving board and access ladders. Metal parts and that nice chrome finish can disintegrate in a matter of months and the weakened structures may need to be completely removed after about a year.
- Pool lights, basketball hoops, even that nice looking lawn furniture, can all be destroyed by salt. Anything within 20 feet or so of the pool is destined to have an extremely short lifespan.
What About Chemical Savings?
Looking at the savings in chemicals over that same 3-year time period... yes, you will save on monthly chemicals that a chlorinated pool system requires.
But, after putting salt through your pool's chlorine generator cell for 3 years, you will have decreased its life and a new chlorine generator cell will soon be necessary. That expense will pretty much wipe out any savings from chemicals that you might have initially experienced.
This video explains how chlorine generator cells work, and what makes them fail:
Many of these types of corrosion issues pop up when an existing pool that was designed for chlorine is converted to a salt water system. IF the original construction didn’t account for corrosive materials (such as salt), the effect of continual salt saturation can quickly destroy much of your pool.
Good news: much of this kind of damage from salt can be avoided by building from scratch with materials known to withstand the effects of salt.
In the end, deciding between a salt pool system and a chlorine pool system means doing some homework first. It's important to understand the long-term cost implications before you jump in and convert a chlorinated pool to a salt water pool.
A word of advice from an experienced pool repair man:
I operate a pool service and repair business in north Texas. In the last 8 years I have had several customers change to salt water. At first this seemed to be a great choice. Recently I began to notice similar problems occuring on all of the salt pools. Decks dissolving, equipment wearing out prematurely and so forth. I thought you might find the information I collected to be helpful. Check it out if you like: http://www.poolservices4u.com. -- Steve (via email)
RELATED:
Salt Water Pool Systems: Facts From A Swimming Pool Expert
Problems With Salt Water Pool Systems
Pros & Cons of Salt Water vs Chlorine Pool Systems
4 Myths About Salt Water Pools
Salt Water Systems vs Chlorine In Swimming Pools
Myths, Maintenance & Problems With Salt Water Pool Systems
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