Have Salt Systems fallen out of favor?

[dbhutch]

Just had a fresh water pool installed, but in the bidding/selecting process all PBs recommended against a saltwater pool....one even refused to install a salt pool. There were many reasons given for this....and all made sense...but none seemed like deal breakers. What's the REAL reason that PBs no longer favor salt pools? Are they losing too much money on warranty work?

[Poconos]

Welcome to the forum.
What were some of the reasons against SWCGs? Also, what were the alternatives for sanitizing they proposed?
Al

[PoolDoc]

Hi DB;

Is your pool in ground on above ground? Using an SWCG invalidates most AG pool warranties, due to increased corrosion.

Also, in dry areas, the salt can build up on the deck, and can be concentrated by evaporation enough to cause problems with both stone or concrete, and all metal components. In wetter areas, with frequent thundershowers, this is not so much of a problem.

[waterbear]

There are a few isolated areas of the country (such as parts of texas) where the local rocks do not do well with salt pools so builders that use natural rock are not installling salt pools but they are not falling out of favor in most locations. Consider that they have been around since the 60's I would have to say that they are here to stay.

[dbhutch]

All three of the PBs we received quotes from said that the salt eventually attacks/degrades the natural stone and/or leaves white deposits where it evaporates. One mentioned corrosion to pool equipment. But it was such an instant negative response when I asked about a salt pool installation...that I felt they weren't being upfront with me....that something else was making them recommend against a salt pool. We now have an IG, 15k gallon freshwater pool with flagstone coping and moss rock waterfall. This is our first pool experience....we were interested in getting a salt pool for all of the positives they offer and none of the negatives of a freshwater pool...but the pool builders convinced us to rethink our options. We also talked with six customer referrals and the verdict was 50-50 on salt pools.

[PoolDoc]

Using flagstone coping, as standard, sounds like a local pattern. I'm pretty sure it's not an national one. But, *I'm* not sure I'd want to use salt on a pool with high evaporation surfaces, like waterfalls.

Regarding the positives you think salt has, I'd urge caution. They are commonly oversold as "eliminating pool chemicals", "chlorine free", "natural" and so forth. These are ALL bogus claims.

[waterbear]

All three of the PBs we received quotes from said that the salt eventually attacks/degrades the natural stone and/or leaves white deposits where it evaporates. One mentioned corrosion to pool equipment. But it was such an instant negative response when I asked about a salt pool installation...that I felt they weren't being upfront with me....that something else was making them recommend against a salt pool. We now have an IG, 15k gallon freshwater pool with flagstone coping and moss rock waterfall. This is our first pool experience....we were interested in getting a salt pool for all of the positives they offer and none of the negatives of a freshwater pool...but the pool builders convinced us to rethink our options. We also talked with six customer referrals and the verdict was 50-50 on salt pools.

The use of local natural rock is the reason they recommend against salt. Not all natural rock is created equal. Personally, I would worry about limestone used in any pool since it is a porous rock that is easily eroded and it is by no means chemically inert! IT will have impacts on your water chemistry and can be attacked by more than just salt. Realize that the use of local natural rock is not the only method of pool construction but is often used for cost considerations.