How To Clean A Saltwater Pool Pump

Wish you had a salt water pool? Want to learn how to take care of a salt water pool? You've come to the right place! Hayward is an innovator in salt water sanitization and an expert in salt water pool maintenance.

Hayward's industry leading residential and commercial salt water pool systems turn your pool salt into a self-regenerating supply of pure chlorine for clean, clear, and luxuriously soft pool and spa water. Along with easy maintenance, it's no wonder so many pool owners are converting their traditional chlorine pools to salt water pools!

Maintaining a Salt Water Pool

To maintain a salt water pool you'll need to keep your filter, pump, and skimmer clean and in good operating condition. With salt water pools, you must inspect the salt chlorinator cell and replace it when needed. Test regularly for proper water chemistry to maintain clean, clear pool water.

Salt Water Pool Chemistry Tips

Using a salt water pool test strip, test your water for free chlorine, salt, pH levels, total alkalinity, stabilizer, and total hardness. Use our online Water Chemistry Calculator to help make those adjustments and balance your pool water.

Following severe weather or times where the load is increased such as pool parties, be sure to test again to maintain your pool's water chemistry within proper levels. Once you have tested your pool, balance as needed.

Did You Know?

The salinity level in ocean water is 31,000 ppm, but the level in a salt water pool is much lower — only 3,000ppm. That's less than the salinity level of human tears!

Hayward Poolside Blog: The salinity level in a saltwater pool is 31,000 ppm, but the level in a salt water pool is much lower - only 3,000ppm. That's less than the salinity level of human tears!

7 Common Salt Water Pool Care Concerns

1. What's the difference between a salt water pool and a traditional chlorinated pool?

In a traditional pool, chlorine is added directly to the pool water. Advancements in the pool industry have led to a simpler and safer alternative. Salt water chlorination is a natural and more convenient sanitization method. Salt is dissolved in the pool and our system converts it into just the right amount of chlorine for clean, clear, and luxuriously soft water.

2. Is a salt water pool easier to maintain?

Yes, a salt water pool is easier to maintain! There's no need to purchase, store and add chlorine to your pool. Simply add salt and your pool's salt chlorinator will do all the work of making chlorine. While all pools require chemicals to maintain clean, clear water, salt water pools are more stable than traditional chlorinated pools, so they require fewer chemicals.

3. Is a salt water pool less expensive to maintain?

Yes, a salt water pool has a reduced cost of operation as compared to a traditional chlorinated pool. This cost savings is primarily because chlorine is generated from salt and there is no need to buy chlorine. Additionally, salt water pools require fewer chemicals to keep the water clean and clear.

4. Is a salt water pool, salty?

Not at all! In fact, your pool's salinity level is about 1/12 of the salinity of the ocean and a drop of water from a salt water pool has less salt than that found in a human tear. In addition, salt water is soft and feels really good on your family's skin!

5. How much salt does the system require?

Salt Systems work best with approximately 3200 parts per million (ppm) of salt, which is roughly the equivalent to a teaspoon of salt per gallon. However, all Hayward Salt Systems are designed to operate with salt levels anywhere from 2700 ppm to 3400 ppm. When salt levels are outside this range, our various salt systems provide a means (typically an LED light) to alert you to the need to adjust your salt level.

6. What does it mean if my salt water pool is cloudy?

Regardless of pool type, cloudy water is often a sign of a chlorine deficiency or poor filtration and circulation. Be sure to diagnose the issue by checking your pool's chemistry first and then adjust the chemistry as needed. In a salt water pool, the salt level may be insufficient or there may be a problem with the salt chlorinator. Keep your pool filter clean and run your system so that all the water is turned over once a day.

7. Is it hard to convert a traditional chlorinated pool to a salt water pool?

Not at all! Read our blog How to Convert to a Salt Water Pool for 8 easy steps to a new salt water pool.

Comfort, Convenience, and Cost Savings

Moving from a traditionally chlorinated pool to a luxurious salt water pool has never been easier. Whether you have a small backyard pool or a large commercial swimming pool, you can enjoy the many benefits of salt water swimming pools: comfort, convenience, and cost-savings.

Hayward makes it easy! Visit our Salt Water Pools page for helpful information to get you started and contact your Hayward Dealer for assistance today.