Saltwater Pools Key Issues
Description
Salt Systems are great, and I like selling them to my service customers. The main issue is that the salt cell only lasts 4-5 years, and depending on the system, you have to explain why the customer needs to shell out $600-$1,2000 for a new salt cell.
I like to prep the customer on a purchase that 4-5 years down the road, they will more than likely need a new cell at the cost of... and if they know in advance, they are more likely to be okay with it at the time of replacement.
Other times, you inherit a client who might refuse to pay for a new salt cell. This is very common, and there isn't much you can do about it except convert the pool back into a chlorine pool. You may need to drain the pool entirely and refill it since the TDS (Tota dissolved Solids) will be around 4,500, which is way over the accepted limit due to all of the salt in the water.
Some of the most common issues are a dirty salt cell, not producing enough chlorine, and, of course, when it gets old, it stops functioning or generating chlorine. None of these are deal breakers, and each has an easy solution.
One drawback is the constantly rising pH. It's partly due to the process itself and the chemical reaction and partly due to the turbulence of the salt cell. So, although you save on chlorine, you may spend more on muriatic acid to keep the pH in check.
Some maintenance is required, like cleaning the salt cell, ensuring the salt level is good, and setting the output to the correct setting to chlorinate your pool. Still, for the most part, it is much easier than trying to maintain a steady chlorine reading during the season by manually adding chlorine to the pool.
Knowing some things that can go wrong before you purchase a system is an important aspect that should be part of your buying equation.
I am honest about the true benefit of a saltwater system: it adds chlorine to the pool without you having to do anything. This means no more trips to the pool store for shock or liquid chlorine. It is a great time saver for sure. But for me, that is the only benefit.
With that said, a saltwater system is a preference. If you can absorb the cost of the system and don't mind the overall cost of a salt pool, then it is the way to go. Who wants to add tablets and liquid chlorine or shock weekly to their pool? You can set it and forget it with a Saltwater Generator connected to your pool equipment. Of course, some maintenance is required, like cleaning the salt cell, ensuring the salt level is good, and setting the output to the correct setting to chlorinate your pool. Still, for the most part, it is much easier than trying to maintain a steady chlorine reading during the season by manually adding chlorine to the pool.
Upgrading is a personal choice you should make according to your overall pool care budget. Everything depends on how much you will spend, so do not worry about adding chlorine to your pool each week. I have a Saltwater Pool, and I am so used to the convenience of it that I wouldn't be able to go back to a manual chlorine pool. Once you convert, you probably will not go back, either.
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