Is a Saltwater Chlorine Generator Right for Your Pool?

Ask a few pool owners around Camp Hill what they would change about their pool and you will hear the same complaints: the smell, the stinging eyes, the dry skin, and the buckets of chemicals sitting in the garage. A saltwater chlorine generator is one answer to those complaints. Bob's Swimming Pool Service & Repair Inc. installs and services them, and this is how to decide whether one belongs on your pool.

How a chlorine generator works

A saltwater pool still uses chlorine. The difference is where it comes from. Instead of adding chlorine products by hand, a generator uses a small amount of salt dissolved in the water and an electrical cell to produce chlorine as the water passes through the equipment. The pool is not a seawater pool. The water does not taste or feel like the ocean, and many swimmers describe it as soft.

The benefits Bob's customers ask about

• No more noxious odors. Chlorine that is produced steadily tends to avoid the harsh chemical smell associated with over-treated water.
• No more stinging eyes. Water that is well balanced and steadily treated is easier on the eyes.
• No more irritated skin. Many swimmers find the water more comfortable.
• No more storing toxic chemicals. You are not keeping large quantities of chlorine products around the house.
• Longer pool and equipment life. Gentler water chemistry is easier on the pool and the equipment it flows through.
• Algae prevention. Steady chlorine production helps keep algae from taking hold.

What to weigh before you switch

A chlorine generator is a good fit for many pools, but it is a piece of equipment, not a magic fix. A few honest questions are worth asking before you commit.

• What does your pool have now? The existing pump, filter and plumbing all have to work with the generator.
• What is your pool made of? Surfaces, ladders, rails and other fittings should be checked for compatibility with salt water before the system goes in.
• Are you willing to maintain it? The cell is a working part of the system and needs periodic attention, and the water still has to be tested and balanced.
• How is your equipment's age and condition? It is often smart to look at the whole system at once.

A salt system also does not remove the need for service. One Bob's customer, Dee N, wrote on the Bob's website that the team took care of “everything from pump to salt cell to filter to liner for my 22 year old pool.” A salt cell is simply one more component Bob's looks after, alongside the rest of the equipment.

Switching an existing pool

Most owners who ask about saltwater already have a working pool and are looking at an upgrade. A short visit lets Bob look at what you have, explain how a generator would work with your pump, filter and fittings, and give you a straight answer on whether your pool is a good candidate.

Talk to Bob first

The right system depends on your pool, not on a general rule. Call Bob at (717) 761-5030 to talk through your setup. Free Estimates are standard, and you can see more about this work on our Services page under Saltwater Technology.