Pool Equipment Repair

Salt pools use an electrolytic cell to generate chlorine. A small electrical charge is passed between the plates as the pool water is moved through them. This electrical charge acts as a catalyst, which through a complex chemical process separates the chlorine ion from the salt molecule (NaCl). This creates a very small amount of chlorine gas, which is immediately dissolved into the water. Once in the water, it is essentially the same as any standard pool chlorination product.

There are several benefits to this process as opposed to traditional pool chlorination. First, the salt in the pool water is not “used up” in this reaction and eventually recombines back into salt. This means that as long as the cell is working, the pool can create a virtually infinite amount of its own chlorine. This eliminates or drastically reduces the need to use shock and other chlorinating chemicals. Second, the chlorine levels in the pool can be kept lower because a small trickle is constantly being added to the pool water. Third, traditional pool care involves spiking the chlorine to relatively high levels periodically in order to keep the water sanitized. While not typically dangerous, this does make for inconsistent chlorine levels which can lead to problems such as damaged or bleached hair and bathing suits, strong chlorine odor, etc. Fourth, the salt in the water is about 10% the salinity of seawater, and much closer to your body’s natural salt level. Swimming in a traditional freshwater pool can leave swimmers with a small electrolyte imbalance because the water can pull salts from the body. On the other end of the spectrum, swimming in ocean water can quickly cause dehydration due to the extremely high salt content. Swimming in a salt pool helps prevent either of these scenarios, and the water subjectively feels better on the skin and eyes.

So what are the disadvantages? The cost of installation, as well as cell cleaning and replacement. The salt level in the water is low enough that it will not cause corrosion or equipment damage under normal circumstances. There is an electrical cost involved in powering the salt system, but it is negligible.

Saltwater pools are becoming very common. In fact, most new pool construction projects include a salt system. Ask us for a quote to convert your pool to saltwater today!