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NEWEST MODELS. HIGHEST QUALITY. EXTENDED WARRANTY.

Common Questions About Salt Systems

• DOES A SALTWATER POOL FEEL DIFFERENT THAN A CHLORINE POOL?

  Absolutely. You’ll feel the difference the moment you dive in. Because the salt levels are similar to a human tear, the water feels silky and soft on your skin. You can say goodbye to red eyes, itchy skin, and the harsh “bleach” smell associated with traditional chlorine

• IS IT ACUTALLY CHLORINE FREE?

  Not exactly. A salt system uses a process called electrolysis to turn salt into a pure form of chlorine. The benefit? It’s a constant, low-level stream of sanitizer that doesn’t have the harsh “chloramines” (the stuff that smells and stings) found in traditional chemical treatments

• WILL THE SALT DAMAGE MY POOL EQUIPMENT?

  Modern “professional-grade” salt systems are designed to be safe for your pool. As long as your water chemistry is balanced, the salt concentration is actually quite low—about 1/10th the salinity of the ocean. It’s roughly the same amount of salt you’d find in a contact lens solution.

• HOW MUCH MAINTENANCE IS REQUIRED?

  Significantly less. You won’t have to buy, haul, or pour heavy jugs of liquid chlorine every week. The system generates sanitizer on demand. You simply need to:

  • Check the salt cell for calcium buildup once a season.

  • Test your salt levels occasionally.

  • Let the system do the heavy lifting!

• IS IT WORTH THE INVESTMENT?

  Yes. While there is an upfront cost for the salt cell and controller, you will save big over time by eliminating the need to purchase expensive chlorine tabs and shock. Most owners find the system pays for itself in chemical savings within a few seasons—not to mention the time saved on maintenance.

• HOW LONG DO SALT CELLS LAST, WHAT SIZE DO I NEED, AND WHY SHOULD I SIZE UP?

  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.

• WHY SHOULD I CONVERT MY POOL FROM TRADITIONAL CHLORINE TO A SALTWATER SYSTEM?

  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! Contact us today to find you the best salt system option for your pool. 

• HOW DO I CLEAN MY SALT CELL, STORE IT FOR WINTER, AND TURN OFF THE “INSPECT CELL” LIGHT?

  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.