Copying my neighbour, I just put in an in-ground vinyl pool with a chlorine generator. But after a discussion with a pool store owner and some googling, I decided to go with chlorine the old fashioned way. (Yeah, I know he's not totally disinterested as chlorine sales are a big deal.)

However, the PB said, yes the salt would attack the ladder and the screws in the light, but the heater and pump were designed for salt water. He had no answer for what would happen to the steel walls and how soon from pinhole leaks in the vinyl.

I'm keeping the salt water equipment in place as the house is for sale and lots of buyers want salt water pools.

Not all liner pools use steel wall construction. Many have moved to resin panels.

There are also vinyl ladders and rails that come in colors and cant rust. While they flex more than stainless, they are strong and durable.

WRT why some builders are afraid, I feel it's more a lack of education or cost cutting. Salt is not corrosive. Ever seen rust on salt shaker or on the metal spouts of a can of Morton or Diamon Crystal? Me neither.

The link I have is on a recent thread here.

Scott

Here is a link that might be useful: Salt vs Ozone Thread

Salt is not corrosive.

I'm no chemist.

But in Ontario, road salt has been a bane on vehicles for half a century, creating an entire industry of vehicle undercoating and specialists in rust repair.

And there is something about the chemistry that makes a small amount of salt more corrosive than a large amount.

Interesting to see that these high end salt mills are guaranteed for 20 years, pepper mills for life. The difference is the corrosive effect of salt.

Here is a link that might be useful: how salt affects corrosion

Pool salt is pure. Road salt is not.

Streets are not bonded. Neither are autos. Pools are.
Rolling vehicles generate static electricity, Electrolysis happens. They also create physical pressure pressure. When the salt washes away, water can and does get in cracks. When freezing temps happen, cracks are subjected to the expanding pressure of ice.

Most people don't drive their vehicles in pools so pools do have to bear this kind of stress.

Streets are usually made of macadam. I've never seen a pool made with this material.

The Wiki article substantiates what I have said.

Scott

Janesm, my opinion (as one of the pool builders) is that people love the feel of a salt water pool on their skin, lack of eye and skin irritation and the lower maintenance costs. The people who love it are keeping their pH and alkalinity and salt levels where they need to be without dips and spikes. Maybe they are good or they have a pool service who does it for them. That's the thing about salt...if you are really on top of your pool chemistry, then it's great. Unfortunately many people are not perfect about pool maintenance. As a pool builder, I don't like salt, because I know that most people aren't perfect. If I know they will be maintaining their pool themselves, I am more concerned about the call you get eventually that talks about the disintegration of natural stone around their pool. If there's no natural stone, then it's not a worry. Salt for pool systems IS corrosive if not balanced properly. Because many of us have "selective recall", pool builders may want a disclaimer signed to be sure any callbacks later regarding stone erosion or other salt related issues are clearly forwarned and not a warrantable issue. Salt is great under the right circumstances, but I don't want to be blamed as the PB for its corrosive possibilities.

I agree with "woman"

I have salt (and natural stone travertine coping) and have had NO problems...BUT I am really on top of my water chemistry. What does that mean? I test with a strip 2-3 times a week, test with drops in the tubes about 1 time a week, and then bring the bottle to the store to have all the tests done about 1/month. Then I do what they recommend which is usually add a little acid or add a bag of salt. Easy.

Thanks, womanowned,
So if I have a weekly pool service there is no problem with salt? Better than ozone? It's a 20 x 40 pool that will have lots of dogs swimming in it. Thanks.

Having a pool service doesn't mean your pool will be properly balanced. I've seen what some companies hire. Let them earn your trust. Test the water several hours after they leave. If the chems are good great! See if they send someone new. It's still your pool.

You MUST take ownership! A pool is not a set it and forget it thing. It is an artificial life form in your back yard. If it gets sick, no pool or others may get sick.

There are a couple threads on this topic and there are more on troublefreepools.com. IMHO, every pool owner needs to learn it BEFORE someone get ill.

Scott

Here is a link that might be useful: Trouble Free Pools

Janesm, to answer your questions, I agree with poolguynj when he says just because you have a pool service take care of your pool that you won't have problems. It does very much depend on how well the pool service professional knows their stuff and how diligent they are in their service. The chances of having balanced water is better than not having it if they are competent...ask around to find out who is happy with their service professional. Now, do I think that salt is "better than Ozone?", I would say absolutely not. I prefer pools sanitized with a Ozone generator combined with a chlorinator. But, again, there are some Ozone systems out there that I have heard are problematic for one reason or another. I am very happy with the brand I use, but that's not to say that ozone is better unless you are confident the system is doing what it is supposed to do. Hope that helps!

Janesm...if you'll have dogs swimming in the water who also love to drink the water, be sure to stay on top of your chlorine levels, even with a salt system. Normal, or typical levels should be just fine.

Resist the temptation to add borates to your pool if your dogs are drinking a lot of the water unless/until you can train them not to. Borates are not necessary for a balanced pool but are sometimes advocated to add to pools with salt systems to moderate the pH rise inherent in those systems.

Personally, I've had 2 pools with salt systems and have loved them both. My dogs love them too! No borates for us.

Be sure your PB sets you up with the equipment that's made to use in a saltwater pool. If you utilize any stone, be sure it's NOT a soft or fairly porous stone.

I'd also like to echo some of the previous comments about pool maintenance companies. Not all of them know what they are doing! We had a repair done (requiring a large drain of water)and the repairing company promised to return my pool to its pre-repair chemical status. I said, "No thanks," but they persisted. I ran my water tests prior to the repair and again after they had "re-balanced" my pool. What a crock! If I had not rebalanced my pool after them, I would have had a green pool in a few days and way too little salt to make my SWCG system work.

Scott - You said it, "Streets are not bonded. Neither are autos. Pools are."
Pools are suppose to be bonded, I've found with PB's they dont bond the ladder/handrail, or the bond breaks. I have seen ladder anchors corroded through within 1-2 years, uncommon. I've found that just covering the anchor with magiclube prevented further corrosion.

~Mike~

I don’t like the feel of salt on my skin when it dries as I sit by the pool (not my pool). I’ve heard many others say the same thing. It feels dirty and I can’t wait to get it off my skin. This is my opinion based on my many experiences. Love chlorine pools. Very, very easy and fresh.