The ease (or lack thereof) of maintenance is a major selling point for a salt water pool. The popularity of these pools has risen in recent years due to their lower maintenance costs compared to traditional pools. But, if you aren’t careful, caring for a salt water pool can be a lot more of a hassle than one chlorinated with chemicals.

It is imperative that the skimmer, pump, and filter of a salt water pool need regular cleaning and servicing. You need to check and replace the salt chlorinator cell in this type of pool as needed. Maintaining a clean, clear swimming pool requires frequent water chemistry testing.

Here are some tips to help you care for a salt water pool

Maintain a clean salt cell

The manual for your salt chlorinator should include instructions for maintaining the salt cell. When it comes to caring for a salt water pool, this is one of the most important aspects. This is because a dirty filter prevents the pool from producing enough chlorine to kill bacteria. The accumulation of calcium in the cell should be monitored and removed on a regular basis.

Maintain the pH level at 7.4 to 7.8

If you have ever owned one, you would know that this is substantially higher than the ideal pH for a standard chlorinated pool. This is due to the fact that a salt water pool needs a considerably higher pH level. It’s important to remember to check the levels twice every week and add more muriatic acid as necessary to balance the pH.

Cyanuric acid level between 20 and 60 ppm

Maintain a cyanuric acid concentration within this range. You should consult the system’s user manual once more to find the sweet spot. Stabilizers and conditioners, such as cyanuric acid, play an important role in maintaining a consistent chlorine concentration.

Run the filter

Don’t fall into the trap of assuming that a salt water pool doesn’t require filtration. Maintaining regular filtration of this pool is essential, as chlorine is produced naturally by the filter. Your pool filter will likely need to be on for 8 hours daily during the summer: 4 hours in the morning and 4 hours in the evening. There should be roughly 6 hours of filtering in the winter. In order to determine how long the filter should be on for your specific system and pool size, you need to consult a professional.

Check the salt levels in the pool

To get the perfect salt level, there should be the right balance. Maintaining a constant concentration of salt in the water is essential for keeping your pool clean. The natural production of chlorine, which keeps the water clean, requires salt. There are some subtle differences between the various salt water systems. For this reason, it is important to familiarize oneself with the manual and consult with the pool store from which it was acquired. Optimal salt levels for the pool will change depending on the pool’s size and the system’s size.

Cleaning a Salt Water Pool: Some Considerations

You should open and inspect the salt water cell every three months. Check for deposits and scale buildup.

If it’s clean, you can put it back in place; if there are deposits, you can remove them with a high-pressure hose. If this doesn’t remove the deposits, try washing it with a little acid.

Winterize your backyard pool and equipment. This is an easy process if your unit is detachable. If you have access to the manual, check it again for information on winterizing your salt chlorinator.

Although switching to a salt water pool may seem like a major deal at first, they are much easier to maintain. A lower chlorine level is gentler on swimmers’ swimsuits, eyes, and skin. The maintenance of this type of pool requires fewer chemicals. All you need to do is ensure that there’s enough salt in the water for the chlorine generator to function.

Need help cleaning and maintaining your salt water pool?

If you know what you’re doing, maintaining a saltwater pool is far easier than a traditional chlorine pool. Hire a pool service if you don’t feel comfortable checking and adjusting the levels yourself. Hiring a professional will guarantee proper maintenance. There will also be the right concentrations of chemicals and other substances in your pool.

When a professional is responsible for maintaining a salt water pool, it needs relatively little care. This is because the pool’s environment maintains its natural balance. Poseidon Pool Services is here to help you with all your salt water pool needs. Contact us today!