There are a few things to keep in mind about salt water pool maintenance. This is whether you plan to install a salt water pool or convert your current chlorine pool to salt water. The salt in the pool water can damage the equipment. For this reason, the pool owner must ensure that the skimmer, pump, and filtration system are periodically cleaned and working properly. In addition to routine maintenance, the salt chlorine generator also requires attention. Taking care of a salt water pool means keeping the equipment in good shape and testing and adjusting the chemistry of the pool water.
Owning a salt water pool is more cost-effective and convenient than maintaining a chlorine pool. But if you aren’t careful, salt water pool maintenance can be more of a hassle than a chlorinated one.
It’s important to perform routine maintenance
In the long run, if you do not keep up with your pool’s maintenance, it will revert to its natural form and become an algae-covered pond. Maintenance for a salt water pool is based on four things: regular maintenance, circulation, sanitation, and water balance.
- Maintaining a spotless swimming pool is a practical matter. This is because of the attention to detail that practical maintenance provides.
- Maintaining a healthy water balance in a swimming pool reduces the need for chemicals. It also protects swimmers and pool surfaces.
- Debris and sediment are flushed away by the water’s circulation.
- Sanitation gets rid of any microbes in your pool water. It will ensure that the chlorination system continues to function normally.
Salt water pool maintenance is simple if you follow the advice below.
Ensuring the salt cell stays clean
The manual for your salt chlorinator should have instructions on cleaning the salt cell. This is one of the most crucial aspects of salt water pool maintenance. A dirty filter prevents the pool from producing enough chlorine to kill bacteria. Regularly get rid of any calcium deposits that may have formed in the cell.
It’s best to maintain a pH level between 7.2 and 7.6.
Anyone with a chlorinated pool in their home will immediately recognize this as being well above the ideal range. This is because a significantly higher pH is essential in salt water pools. It’s important that you inspect the levels two times each week. Then you can add more muriatic acid if necessary to maintain a stable pH.
Cyanuric acid concentrations should remain between 20 and 60 ppm.
Cyanuric acid is a stabilizer and conditioner that prevents chlorine from fluctuating. Keep the level of cyanuric acid within this range. See the user manual if you need to know what setting is ideal for the system you bought.
Check the salt level in the pool.
Maintaining a constant concentration of salt in the water is essential. It helps to prevent algae growth and keep your pool clean. To create chlorine naturally, salt is essential. It’s important to get the salt content just right. Because every salt water system is slightly different from every other, it is important to consult the owner’s manual and the pool store from which you bought the system. The ideal salt concentration for the pool will change depending on the system’s size and your pool’s size.
Running the filter
Maintaining filtration is especially important for salt water pools. A common misconception is that a salt water pool doesn’t require a filter to be maintained. This is because chlorine is naturally produced by the filter when it is running. During the summertime, you should plan on leaving the pool filter on for a total of 8 hours every day. That is to say, 4 hours in the morning and another 4 hours in the evening. Approximately 6 hours of filtration is ideal in the winter. The amount of time a filter needs to be on varies from system to system and pool size. For this reason, it’s best to double-check with a professional at your local pool store.
The benefits of a saltwater pool
Salt water pools provide a number of advantages over traditional pools, but they also require more upkeep. Although these pools produce chlorine, the water is typically gentler on the skin than in chlorine pools.
These pools eliminate the need for on-site chemical storage. When the controls are set up correctly, the pool will produce the appropriate amount of chlorine on its own. This eliminates the need for manual additions.
Need help with salt water pool maintenance? Hire Coconut Pools & Spas
If you know what you’re doing, salt water pool maintenance is far easier than maintaining a regular chlorine pool. If you don’t feel comfortable checking and adjusting the pool’s levels on your own, a pool service may be worth looking into. If you hire a pool service, you won’t have to stress out over maintaining the correct chemical balance in your pool. A salt water pool requires little maintenance when maintained by a pool service professional. Contact Coconut Pools & Spas for all of your salt water pool maintenance needs.