Quote Originally Posted by dbhutch View Post
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.