Yes! Crush Pools offers price-matching on major pool equipment against big box retailers while providing the personal care, technical expertise, and extended warranties of a trusted local shop.

• Big Box Pricing, Local Service: You get competitive pricing on top-tier pumps, heaters, and salt chlorinators without sacrificing professional support.
• Authorized “Expert Line” Products: As an authorized local dealer, we stock high-grade “Expert Line” equipment that online discount sites don’t carry, complete with extended manufacturer warranties of up to 3 years.

Which is better: a Hayward AquaRite system or a Pentair IntelliChlor system, and how do their cell sizes and warranties match up?

Both Hayward and Pentair are top-tier industry leaders, but they take different approaches to system design. Hayward is ideal if you want detailed on-screen and app-based diagnostic data, while Pentair offers an all-in-one cell design with built-in controls directly on the unit.

Pro Tip: For maximum cell life, size up! Pairing a Hayward T940 or Pentair IC40 with a smaller 20k-gallon pool allows you to run the cell at 30–50% capacity, giving you more total seasons before replacement.

Pros & Cons Comparison

• Hayward (AquaRite / S3 Series)
  • Pros: Outstanding diagnostic data (displays precise salt PPM, cell voltage, and instant diagnostic codes); easier to navigate control board; seamless integration with the Hayward Omni app ecosystem.
  • Cons: Requires a separate control box wall unit mounted near your equipment pad.
• Pentair (IntelliChlor IC Series / iChlor)
  • Pros: Built-in control panel directly on the salt cell body itself; sleek all-in-one design; pairs perfectly with Pentair EasyTouch or IntelliCenter automation.
  • Cons: Harder to read detailed diagnostic metrics without accessing an external automation controller; slightly more expensive replacement cells.

3. Canadian Warranty Comparison

Warranty coverage depends heavily on where you purchase the unit and who installs it:

• Hayward Warranties: Standard over-the-counter replacement cells typically include a 1-Year Limited Manufacturer Warranty. However, buying genuine “Expert Line” equipment or full systems through an authorized dealer like Crush Pools can unlock extended 3-year parts warranty coverage on select models when professionally installed.
• Pentair Warranties: Standard Pentair salt cell units typically carry a 1 to 2-Year Limited Manufacturer Warranty. When purchased as a bundle (like an iChlor system with power center) or installed by a professional, extended warranties up to 3 years are available.

Important Cross-Border Warning: Both Hayward and Pentair strictly track serial numbers in Canada. If you purchase a unit from an unverified US online seller, the manufacturer warranty is completely voided in Canada. Always buy from a local Canadian dealer to protect your investment!

Need help choosing between Hayward and Pentair for your equipment pad? Contact Crush Pools for a Salt System Consultation & Professional Quote today!

Salt cells require occasional cleaning to remove calcium scale from the internal titanium plates. Inspect the cell visually once a season; if you see white calcium crusting, soak the cell in a dedicated cell cleaning solution to safely dissolve the buildup without damaging the plates.

• Winter Storage (Crucial for Canada): Salt cells cannot survive freezing Canadian winters! During your fall closing, unthread the cell unions and store the salt cell indoors in a warm garage or basement.
• The “Inspect Cell” Light Trick: On Hayward systems, the “Inspect Cell” light automatically flashes every 500 operating hours as a standard reminder. If your water chemistry is good and the cell is clean, simply press and hold the diagnostic button for 5 seconds to reset it!

Protect your investment! Pick up a bottle of Salt Cell Cleaner at our Oakville retail store or book our Pool Closing Service to ensure your cell is stored safely over the winter.

A salt chlorinator uses continuous electrolysis to turn salt dissolved in your pool water into pure chlorine. As long as your salinity levels are balanced and your cell percentage is set for the weather, your pool stays crystal clear automatically.

• Hands-Free Care: No more dropping pucks into skimmers or handling toxic jugs.
• Testing & Maintenance: Bring a 250 mL water sample to our Oakville retail location for a free computerized lab test, or sign up for a Crush Pools Weekly Maintenance Program to keep your pool completely hands-off.

Need a reliable, smart salt system? Check out the Hayward AquaRite S3 Series available online at Crush Pools Shop All.

A quality salt cell typically lasts about 8 seasons if properly maintained. Salt cells are sized based on maximum pool water volume—traditionally designated as T3, T9, and T15, which evolved into the T925 and T940, and now Hayward’s modern S3 line. We always recommend sizing up (e.g., placing a T940 cell on a pool sized for a T925) because running a larger cell at a lower percentage output drastically extends its lifespan.

• How Output Extends Life: Running a small cell at 90–100% capacity burns through the internal titanium plates quickly. An oversized cell running at 30–50% produces the same daily chlorine while placing far less mechanical strain on the system.
• Ideal Salt & Stabilizer Levels: Keep your pool’s salinity between 3,200 and 3,600 ppm for optimal operation. Keeping your Cyanuric Acid (stabilizer) balanced holds chlorine in the water longer so your salt cell doesn’t have to work as hard.
• Seasonal Adjustments: In cooler spring and fall weather, scale back your cell output percentage. When peak summer heat hits, bump the setting higher to produce enough chlorine to combat heavy bather loads and UV rays.

Extend the life of your equipment! Explore our selection of Replacement Salt Cells or contact Crush Pools to find the perfect size for your pool.

You should backwash your pool filter every 1 to 2 weeks, whenever the pressure gauge reads above 20 PSI, or immediately after a heavy pool vacuuming. Backwashing clears out the trapped dirt and restores your pool’s suction and water flow.

• The 1-Minute Backwash Rule: First, always turn off your pump before moving the valve handle! Turn the handle clockwise to the “Backwash” setting. Turn the pump back on and run it for about 1 minute. Watch the sight glass on the side of the valve—the water will shoot out dark and dirty, but you will know the filter is clean once that water runs completely clear.
• Don’t Forget to Rinse: After backwashing, turn the pump off, turn the handle clockwise to “Rinse,” and run the pump for about 30 seconds. This crucial step resettles the sand bed so dirty water does not blow back into your pool when you switch it back to “Filter.”

Tired of messing with valves, hoses, and dirty filters? Let us handle the heavy lifting. Sign up for our Weekly Pool Maintenance Packages and enjoy a perfectly clean pool all summer long!

While many homeowners delay this maintenance, you should typically replace the sand in your pool filter every 8 seasons. Over time, the rough edges of the sand wear down and become smooth, losing their ability to catch fine dirt and debris.

• Signs your sand needs replacing: You will know it is time for a change if your filter requires constant backwashing, the pressure gauge is consistently running high, you notice poor suction, or you start seeing sand blowing back into the pool through the return jets.
• The Glass Media Upgrade: If your sand is due for a replacement, we highly recommend upgrading to premium glass media—especially if you have a built-in backwash/waste line. It filters out much finer particles than standard sand, lasts significantly longer, and keeps your water crystal clear.

Is your filter struggling to keep the pool clean, or is it time for an equipment upgrade? Book a Professional Pool Filter Installation with Crush Pools today!

If you currently have a Hayward or Pentair system, sticking with the same brand (like-for-like) is usually best and saves money, as you only need to swap the cell rather than the whole system. However, if you have an older Jandy, Zodiac, or discontinued model, it is much smarter to replace the entire system with a modern Hayward or Pentair unit.

• Avoid the “Money Trap”: Spending $1,500+ on a replacement cell for an aging, outdated Zodiac or Jandy control panel is a huge gamble—you risk the control board dying shortly after. Swapping the entire setup gets you a new board, a fresh cell, and a full manufacturer warranty.
• Hayward vs. Pentair Apps: While both brands feature modern app connectivity, Hayward edges out Pentair (IC20/IC40) because the Hayward board is easier to navigate and gives homeowners more functional, detailed diagnostic information right on their phone screen.

Upgrade to modern reliability! Shop our Hayward & Pentair Salt Chlorine Generators and add professional GTA installation at checkout.

Converting to a salt system eliminates the need to manually haul, store, and pour heavy jugs of liquid chlorine or toxic tablets. A salt system uses continuous electrolysis to turn simple pool salt into pure, natural chlorine right inside your plumbing lines.

• Resort-Quality Water: Salt pools operate at a low salinity level (about the same as a human tear), leaving your skin feeling soft and silky without red eyes, dry skin, or harsh chemical smells.
• Pays for Itself: While there is an upfront investment for the equipment, salt is extremely inexpensive compared to traditional chlorine products. Most homeowners find the system pays for itself in chemical savings within 3 to 5 seasons!

Say goodbye to weekly trips for heavy chlorine! Book a Saltwater System Conversion Consultation with Crush Pools today.

Converting to a saltwater system eliminates the need to handle, haul, or store harsh chemical tablets and pucks. The system automatically converts dissolved pool salt into pure, continuous chlorine directly inside your plumbing, providing softer, silkier water that is gentler on eyes and skin.

• Gentler on Swimmers: Operating at a low salinity level (around 3,200 to 3,600 ppm), saltwater pools leave skin feeling smooth without the harsh bleach odor or drying effects of traditional chlorine.
• Consistent Water Quality: Micro-dosing chlorine continuously while the pump runs prevents sudden chemical spikes and drops that lead to algae.

Upgrade your backyard experience! Contact our team at Crush Pools for a conversion quote or browse our catalog at Crush Pools Shop All.