Why do I charge a bit more for salt pools?

Salt systems add equipment to inspect and maintain (the cell and controller), so many services add a small surcharge per visit.

Do salt pools still need chlorine?

They generate their own chlorine from salt, but still need balancing chemicals and occasional supplemental shock.

Is salt water gentler?

Many swimmers find it gentler on skin and eyes because chlorine levels stay steadier, but it's still chlorinated water.

Business

Is a saltwater pool cheaper to maintain?

Quick answer

Saltwater pools cost less in day-to-day chemicals but more over time in equipment: the salt cell that generates chlorine wears out every 3–7 years and costs several hundred dollars to replace. Routine service labor is similar, so the real difference is cell replacement versus ongoing chlorine purchases.

Definition

A saltwater pool uses a salt chlorine generator (a 'salt cell') to make chlorine from dissolved salt, instead of adding chlorine manually. It's still a chlorine pool — just generated on-site.