A guide toSalt pool care

The basics of salt chlorine generators

If you have a salt pool or are considering one, it helps to understand what the system actually does. A salt pool still uses chlorine to maintain the water. The salt chlorine generator produces free chlorine from the salt in the pool water, so testing and routine maintenance remain part of caring for the pool. Water that looks clear is not necessarily free of germs. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends at least 1 ppm of free chlorine in pools, or at least 2 ppm when cyanuric acid is used.

Salt levels and cell inspections

At Kingfisher Pool & Spa, we test the salt level during every weekly visit to a salt pool. We also inspect the salt cell every three months. If scale is found, cleaning is billed separately except on our Full Care Plus plan, which includes quarterly salt cell inspection and cleaning. Salt top ups are specialty chemicals and are billed separately. Regular inspections give us an opportunity to check the cell’s condition as part of the pool’s ongoing maintenance.

Hard water and calcium scale

Salt pools in the Las Vegas valley have another local consideration: hard water. The Las Vegas Valley Water District describes local tap water as very hard, with 280 ppm total hardness, or 16 grains per gallon, and 75 ppm calcium. Those minerals come from the Colorado River through Lake Mead. Hard water leaves calcium scale at the waterline, inside heaters and on salt cells. If you notice scale around your pool’s tile line or on the cell during maintenance, our technicians can inspect the affected area and explain whether cleaning is needed.

Equipment lifespans

A salt cell will not last indefinitely, so replacement may eventually become part of maintaining your system. InterNACHI and the US Department of Energy report that salt cells commonly last around 3 to 7 years, depending on run time and water balance. That range is a general guide rather than a replacement deadline. When a cell appears to have failed, we assess the equipment and explain the findings before recommending the next step.

How Kingfisher Pool & Spa helps

We provide salt pool maintenance throughout the Las Vegas valley, including Henderson, Summerlin and Spring Valley. Our weekly service includes testing the salt level, while the quarterly cell inspection is handled as part of our salt pool maintenance schedule. If scale is found, we explain the cleaning cost before proceeding. If replacement is needed, we provide a written estimate before any repair or replacement work begins and install equipment from Pentair, Hayward and Jandy. Repair labor is covered by a 90 day workmanship warranty. New equipment we install includes one year of installation labor coverage, plus the manufacturer’s parts warranty. Our goal is to help you understand the condition of your salt system and what work it needs.