Salt Water Pool Conversion: What to Know
Salt Water Pool Conversion: What to Know – If you’re curious about switching from a chlorine pool to a salt water pool, you may be wondering how to go about it.
Salt water pools are desirable for many reasons, such as:
- They are easier to maintain.
- They don’t aggravate the eyes and skin.
- They don’t have a strong chlorine odor.
So, what does a saltwater pool conversion cost? What steps do you need to take to make it happen?
Steps to a Saltwater Pool Conversion
It’s not as difficult as you may assume to convert your traditional chlorine pool to a salt system. In fact, you don’t even have to drain and refill the pool! Saltwater pools do use some chlorine, as the salt is converted to chlorine by a generator, but you can tackle this in four steps:
- Balance the pool’s chemistry.
- Install the saltwater chlorinator and check for leaks.
- Add salt to the pool water.
- Test your pool water chemistry; make sure it stays balanced.
Cost
You can convert your inground chlorine pool to a salt system for between $1,700 and $2,500 plus the cost of salt (25 to 63 cents per pound). This cost will cover the salt chlorine generator, which varies in price by manufacturer.
Just remember that your salt chlorine generator is not just a one-time purchase. You’ll have to replace the cell and control board every three to seven years for between $1,200 and $2,000.
Pros and Cons
Check out the main pros and cons of salt pool conversions:
Pros
Saltwater pools:
- Are easier to maintain
- Are cheaper to maintain over the short term
- Are gentler on eyes, skin, and hair
- Produce water that is clear and smooth
- Don’t have a strong chlorine smell
Cons
Saltwater pools:
- Have metal pool parts that may corrode
- Are no cheaper than a chlorine pool over the long-term, as the cost to replace equipment overrides short-term savings.
- Wear down pool plaster more quickly, which means you may have to refinish it more often.
The benefits of saltwater pool conversion are clear, but is it a good idea for YOU? Not always. If your existing chlorine pool has metal parts in the structure, you have metal accessories or you have a plaster surface, a saltwater pool may not be a good choice due to the corrosion factor.
That being said, in most cases, a saltwater pool is a wise choice that can make pool maintenance easier and provide a better swimming experience.
Need more advice or guidance about salt systems? Call us anytime!