Salt Water Pools are used in the pool industry and many myths surround them. Such as my pool doesn't have any chlorine it has salt!! We have heard this over and over but reflecting on our times in high school, we were all taught that salt is NaCl. The Cl is Chlorine. Or we have heard, I don't want to carry the heavy buckets of Chlorine to the backyard. Guess what if you have a salt water system, you are carrying heavy bags of salt to the backyard. Or I have a salt water pool, it is maintenance free. That is a misconception.
If you a considering a salt water pool, there are several things that you should know. Common problems exist with salt water pools and some are as follows:
Corrosion:
People who live by the coasts know how much the salty air ruins windows, furniture, railings and sliding doors. People who live in the snow belt know that the white ring of salt on the car will ruin the undercarriage and paint. That's why the car wash is busy in the middle of February when it is 34 outside. Any metallic object near the pool is vulnerable to this high salt environment and easily corrodes. Salt water droplets cause chloride ions to land on metal surfaces and have with a disastrous effect on them.
Additionally, the high saline levels of the pool water makes galvanized deck anchors and metal railings corrode faster. If you have a heater, the exchange corrodes quicker and if you have certain types of decking the salt water will stain.
Plant Life:
Salt Spray and water will cause flowers, trees and grass to die. Go ahead and backwash your salty water on the grass it will kill it.
Cost:
Salt is cheaper than chlorine. This is true, but the cost of replacing your cell will be more than you budgeted. The total cost of cell replacement can be $ 500.00 or more and they only last 4 to 5 years. Don't believe me click on amazon link Pentair 521105 IntelliChlor IC60 Salt Chlorine Generator Cell (US Version) and check for yourself.
Drainage:
Some larger urban centers are now beginning to ban salt water swimming pool draining into the street. Many cities are implementing a bylaw which requires salt water pool owners to pay to have their water trucked away, or choose to send the water into the sanitary drainage system for their house. Both of these options are far from ideal, and many more municipalities are looking towards this kind of legislation.
If you don't believe us go to Google and see the results for Problems with salt water pools….Last search was ----------- 747,000 results
We can't tell you what to do but if you insist on salt water in you pool we would suggest the Hayward AQR15 AquaRite Salt Chlorination System for In-Ground Pools up to 40,000 Gallons