When your system givesSalt cell warnings

What you may notice

You might notice warning lights on the main control box indicating low salt or to inspect the cell. You might notice an error code on a display. In the water, you might notice a drop in free chlorine levels on test strips. You might notice the water taking on a dull or green appearance. You might notice the filter gauge reading higher than it usually does. You might see visible drips at the equipment pad under the cell. These signs can point to calcium scale buildup or low salt concentration.

Common causes in the valley

The US DOE and InterNACHI state that salt cells commonly last around 3 to 7 years, depending on run time and water balance. The Las Vegas Valley Water District lists the valley tap water at 280 ppm total hardness with 75 ppm calcium. Hard water leaves calcium scale on salt cells, which can trigger a warning. The CDC notes that pools require a free chlorine level of at least 1 ppm, or at least 2 ppm when cyanuric acid is used.

What you can safely check

You can perform a few safe visual checks around the equipment pad. Check whether the skimmer and pump baskets are full. Check whether the water level looks low. Check whether the filter gauge reads higher than it usually does. Look for visible drips at the equipment pad around the salt cell. Look for any error code on a display. Do not open or adjust the equipment. Electrical sparks, burning smells or water near electrical equipment: turn the equipment off at the breaker only if it is safe to do so, keep everyone away, and call NV Energy or 911 if there is any danger.

When to call a technician

If the warning lights appear on the control box, you can schedule a diagnostic visit. We schedule urgent repairs, such as equipment that has stopped circulating the water, a leak at the equipment pad, or a failed pool or spa heater, ahead of routine work during business hours. A technician can evaluate the water chemistry, test the control board and clean the cell safely.

How Kingfisher diagnoses it

Our repair diagnostic visit is $85, credited in full toward the repair when approved within 30 days. We provide a written estimate first. We inspect the salt cell every three months on salt pools. Cleaning is billed separately when scale is found, except on our Full Care Plus plan. The technician tests the actual salt levels and inspects the cell plates. The technician explains what failed, what a repair costs and what replacement would cost. We recommend replacement only when age, parts availability or repeated failures make a repair poor value. We repair most major brands, including Pentair, Hayward, Jandy, Raypak and Sta-Rite. Our repair labor carries a 90-day warranty.