"Should I switch to salt water?" It's one of the most common upgrade questions we get. Here's the honest breakdown.
First, a myth-buster
Salt water pools are chlorine pools. A salt chlorine generator simply produces chlorine automatically from dissolved salt, so instead of handling chlorine tablets, the system makes it for you.
Benefits of salt water
- Softer, gentler water that's easier on eyes, skin, and swimsuits
- Less hands-on chemical handling, no hauling and storing chlorine
- More stable chlorine levels day to day
Things to consider
- Higher upfront cost to install the generator
- The salt cell needs occasional cleaning and replacement every 3 - 7 years
- Salt can be tough on certain natural stone and older equipment if not managed properly
Traditional chlorine
Chlorine pools have a lower upfront cost and the equipment is simple. The trade-off is more frequent manual chemical handling and storage.
Our take
For most families who want lower-maintenance, gentler water and plan to keep their pool for years, salt is well worth it. If you want the lowest upfront cost, traditional chlorine is perfectly fine, especially with weekly service handling it for you.
Curious what conversion would cost for your pool? Ask us for a free estimate.
