Wednesday, January 26, 2022

Claremont CA& Surrounding Area Wrecked by a Major Wind Event - Clean Up Tips for the Pool Pro

 If you service pools in Southern California or own a pool in the area, you will experience a major Santa Ana Wind event at least once every year. This year we were hit by a massive wind event in my service area, Claremont California. I would say wind speeds were well over 70 MPH with the highest wind gust recorded at 89 MPH at a station in the San Gabriel mountains. Trees that were over 100 years old fell over like toothpicks. 




First off if you are a homeowner who has their pool serviced weekly by a pool service professional a major Santa Ana Wind event will require some patience and understanding on your part. The pool service company can only spend about 25-30 minutes at your pool the first week and it may take as long as 3 weeks for your pool to get back to its 100% clean state. With 14-18, service stops each day it is unrealistic that your pool service company can spend an hour or more at your pool that day. If you take your car to a mechanic and it needs major service you have no problem leaving it there for a few days. The same goes with your pool, it will take a few days to get it all cleaned up staggered over your weekly service weeks.  

For the pool service professional, you will need to set a timer for each pool for 25-30 minutes. If you spend less time at another account you can use the time for your current stop. But realistically with the short amount of sunlight in the Winter, you will not be able to complete your route each day if you spend 50 minutes to an hour at each pool. Besides that it is exhausting and you could hurt yourself by trying to do too much each day. Explain to your customers that your priority the first stop after a wind event is to skim the surface and get the pool running. 

Week two is when you focus on the pool bottom. It may be covered in leaf debris, dirt, and ash. Your focus should be to remove the leaves and debris from the bottom and not worry about the dirt and ash. I highly suggest investing in a Vacuum System like the Bottom Feeder, Power Vac, Riptide, or Hammer-Head Vacuum System. It is a major expense but will pay off greatly in a situation like a Santa Ana wind event. 

The dirt and ash present another problem and I suggest using some type of Portable Filtration System or Portable Pump. Here in So Cal most of the pool filters are either Cartridge filters or D.E. Filters with only a Push/Pull Backwash Valve. Very few accounts have a Multi-Port Valve with a “Waste” mode where you can vacuum the pool and bypass the filter. This means that all of the dirt and ash will have to be vacuumed up and go directly into the pool filter. Then you will have to take the filter apart and clean it which takes time. Better to vacuum the pool out with a Portable Pump which is easy to build or invest in a Portable Filtration System like the PORTAVAC by Advantage Manufacturing. 

It is a good idea to have a Service Contract so that your customers are aware that the Santa Ana winds are an “act of God” and out of your control. Also, explain the clean-up process in the contract so that they are aware you can't spend hours each week cleaning up the pool. The Podcast goes over this and more in greater detail so listen to for more detailed information. If you would like a copy of my one-page service contract email me at david@swimmingpoollearning.com and I will get one over to you.

Products are shown in order in appearance in the video:
Purity Pool SUPERRAKE: https://amzn.to/3H3uCdp

Bottom Feeder: https://bit.ly/3FUUdE1
Advantage Manufacturing T-Bar Mount: 1-800-636-8866
Purity Pole GATOR Leaf Rake: https://amzn.to/33O6P2w
Bottom Feeder Service Cart: 1-800-636-8866
Honda Ridgline (Awesome Truck!): https://automobiles.honda.com/ridgeline



Monday, January 24, 2022

Swimming Pool Skimmer Baskets 101

 Your skimmer basket is one often overlooked component of your overall swimming pool operation. It acts as the primary debris filter before your pump basket and it is vital to a smoothly flowing pool. If the basket has a tear in it or is not placed in the skimmer properly debris can pass into the pump basket slowing down and even stopping the pool’s normal operation and water flow. 





One common problem is that most skimmer baskets do not have a built-in weight. They tend to float up when the pool turns off and this can allow leaves and debris to get under the basket. When the pool turns on this debris will go into the skimmer and get sucked into the pool pump basket. Worst case the pool pump basket gets full of debris when this happens. A terrible case scenario is that the skimmer line gets clogged with debris. This means you will need to blow the line with a drain bladder or hire a plumber who uses C02 to blow the lines. 

A simple solution for the floating basket would be heavy rock. River rocks work best because you can find flat rocks that are wider than 2” in diameter. Why such a large diameter? The skimmer hole is 1.5” in circumference so if by some accident the skimmer basket were to tip over the larger rock won’t fit into the opening and won’t get sucked down into the skimmer line. The basket is unlikely to tip over but you can never be too careful. Always use a larger rock than the skimmer opening. 

Particle debris like St. Augustine grass can also get through the skimmer basket and into the pump basket as well. A good way to prevent that is with a Pool Skimmer Sock or a Filter Saver Sock. This is a panty-hose type material insert that will trap all small debris and prevent it from passing through the skimmer basket. I use these on most of my service accounts. You would also leave the rock in the skimmer basket under the Skimmer Sock.


If you have a suction side cleaner connected to your skimmer in the past you would need to run your pool without a skimmer basket. There was just no room for both in the skimmer. The Hole in One Basket solves the problem of your pump basket clogging up with debris when you attach a Suction Side Automatic Cleaner at your skimmer. The idea is simple. The hole in the bottom allows the cleaner hose to slide through the basket and connect to the skimmer line. All surface debris is trapped in the Hole in One Basket just like a standard skimmer basket. A simple solution to a big problem. Keep the flow.


You would use the same skimmer adapter or regulator that came with your cleaner. So, installation of the Hole in One Basket is easy. No complicated adjustments to get the right fit. No Vacuum Plates to adjust or install. Just line it up so that the hole is over the automatic cleaner’s skimmer adapter and put the lead cleaner hose through the hole.

If your skimmer basket constantly tears or rips you may want to replace it with a heavy-duty basket. Val-Pak is the leader when it comes to these thick baskets. Just be aware that if a lot of debris gets compacted in these basket types it may cause the pump to struggle when it is running. I suggest trying to keep the heavy-duty basket clean and clear of debris and not let them overfill with leaves. To see the Val-Pak line up you can go here: http://val-pakproducts.com/product/v22-110-hayward-skim-master-skimmer-basket/


Thursday, January 20, 2022

WaterLink Spin Touch 3-Use Disks: Test 3 Water Factors and Reuse the Disk 3 Times!

One of the downsides of the Spin Touch is that the disks used to get the test factors are what some would consider on the expensive side and they can only be used once. There are alternative disks made for the Spin Touch that can be used up to 3-times each. They are limited to a few test factors but you don’t need to do all of the test factors each time so they are actually very practical. Here are the 3-Test Disks and the test factors that they can check.






3 Disk Use Series:
Spin Touch Disk Series 4334-H  Range
Free Chlorine [DPD]  0-15 ppm
Total Chlorine [DPD]  0-15 ppm
Bromine [DPD]         0-33 ppm
pH                    6.4-8.6

Spin Touch Disk Series 4335-H  Range
Free Chlorine [DPD]  0-15 ppm
Bromine [DPD]          0-33 ppm
pH                    6.4-8.6
Total Alkalinity          0-250 ppm

Spin touch Disk Series 4340-H  Range
Free Chlorine [DPD]  0-15 ppm
Bromine [DPD]          0-33 ppm
pH                    6.4-8.6
Cyanuric Acid          5-150 ppm

Depending on what you need to test for each week will determine which 3-Use Disk you will use. If you break it down since you are using each disk 3-times you are saving quite a bit if you do not need all 10 test factors. If you only need to check the Free Chlorine, pH, and Alkalinity then there is no reason to use a 10 test factor disk as the other reading are not necessary. The 3-Use disk offers a very economical way to use your Spin Touch.

About the spin Touch:
The LaMotte WaterLink Spin Touch is the ultimate water analyzer for your swimming pool. It is designed for pool operators and pool service technicians and can do a variety of test factors in less than 60 seconds. There are many disks series for the Spin Touch and I will go over the different Disk Series for you here.

Single-Use Disk Series:
Disk Series 4328-H   Range
Free Chlorine [DPD]  0-15 ppm
Total Chlorine [DPD]  0-15 ppm
Bromine [DPD]          0-33 ppm
pH                    6.4-8.6
Calcium Hardness  0-800 ppm
Total Alkalinity          0-250 ppm
Cyanuric Acid   5-150 ppm
Copper            0-3.0 ppm
Iron                    0-3.0 ppm
Salt                    0-5000 ppm

Disk Series 4329-H  Range
Free Chlorine [DPD]  0-15 ppm
Total Chlorine [DPD]  0-15 ppm
Bromine [DPD]          0-33 ppm
pH                    6.4-8.6
Calcium Hardness  0-800 ppm
Total Alkalinity          0-250 ppm
Cyanuric Acid   5-150 ppm
Copper            0-3.0 ppm
Iron                    0-3.0 ppm
Salt                    0-5000 ppm
Phosphates           0-2000 ppb

Disk Series 4330-H  Range
Free Chlorine [DPD]  0-15 ppm
Total Chlorine [DPD]  0-15 ppm
Bromine [DPD]          0-33 ppm
pH                    6.4-8.6
Calcium Hardness  0-800 ppm
Total Alkalinity          0-250 ppm
Cyanuric Acid   5-150 ppm
Copper            0-3.0 ppm
Iron                    0-3.0 ppm
Salt                    0-5000 ppm
Borate             0-80 ppm

Disk Series 4331-H  Range
pH                    6.4-8.6
Calcium Hardness  0-800 ppm
Total Alkalinity          0-250 ppm
Copper            0-3.0 ppm
Iron                    0-3.0 ppm
Borate             0-80 ppm
Biguanide           0-70 ppm
Biguanide Shock          0-250 ppm

The Spin Touch is also NSF approved which means that many of the test factors and results have been independently verified to be accurate. If you have pools that use Borate or Biguanide you can accurately test for both now. This makes the Spin Touch the best way to test for the most common pool factors and those that are more specialized.


Monday, January 17, 2022

Paythepoolman Pool routing Software Features and Benefits

 Paythepoolman is not just a clever pool routing software name. Although I do love the name! It will do so much for your pool service company and below is a list of some of the features and benefits you will get with the software/app. You can learn more and watch videos on their site to learn more:  https://www.paythepoolman.com/




Online Invoicing & Online Payments Included:
Customers receive their invoices instantly.
You collect online payments within minutes of signing up.

Employee Routing, Tracking & So Much More:
When it comes to having employees, you want to be as efficient as possible while providing excellent service. Easy Drag n Drop Routing from a tablet or computer 1-Click find the 5 closest pools for the most optimal routes. Automatic Email Proof of service with Pictures & more. Easily track your routes from your Owner Dashboard. Track Chemical Readings, track Chemical Usage, track Employee time worked or Pools serviced per week. Get Repair Request with pictures and quickly turn them into estimates and Customer communication. Only $10 per employee each month.

Paythepoolman Interchange:
Easily add phone records and quick notes to track a customer’s journey. Customer onboarding,
view video & images to schedule properly. See service and repairs statistics.

Interchange the industry's first contactless system:
One-click requests can be used for text messaging, social media & emails. Request information for bidding without leaving the office or job site. Your customer will send you video & images from their device to use on the bidding process. Eliminate the competition by being the first to bid. Have the customer input their data entry saving you time. Keeping efficiency a top priority, now you can be in multiple places without losing time.

Find which customers or employees are costing you the most:
Get a quick snapshot of the last 6 months of chemical costs. See your top 50 costly customers in order!
Find a breakdown of your employee's cost vs your other employees, or stack them up to see their test performance. Search out any specific customers for a list of their chemical cost by service stop.

World Class Route Optimization:
Making a route efficient has never been so easy. Optimize an employee route with one click of a button.
Quickly see how much time will be saved by driving less. Stop wasting gas and keep driving distance to a minimum. Automatically calculate and change your route on demand.

Use the Pool Junction App from Paythepoolman:
Giving your company the ultimate professional appearance. Have a direct channel to your customers. Push notifications open a new world of communication with your customer. Auto notifications are sent for every invoice, bid, service stop, repair needed & more. Customers can make payments directly from the app. Customers can approve bids directly from the app. Customers can view previous service stops directly from the app. Customers can view messages from you directly from the app. 

One-Click Book Keeping:
Keep your customers up-to-date with one click. Text a reminder to bring accounts current & pay online. Send an email reminder to make a payment. Print a late notice showing past payments and invoices. 

Run Your Billing in Minutes:
Create your invoices with just three clicks. On the go, or from your home. Add extra work to that month's invoice. Edit your invoice, email all invoices, and print all invoices in minutes. 

Mailing Service:
Save time and avoid the hassle of paper invoices when running your billing. No more running out of printing or shipping supplies. Eliminate late nights & stuffing envelopes as your time is valuable.

Late Customers:
Dealing with late customers has never been so easy. 1 Click Text Reminders. 1 Click Late Fees. 1 Click Email Reminders. 1 Click Email Statements showing 6 months of Invoices & Payments. 1 Click Printable Statements showing 6 months of Invoices & Payments.

Get bids approved online:
Stop waiting for approvals on your bids. The customer can approve your bid while they are at work, at the mall, or even at their kid’s soccer game using their phone. You will receive an email & push notification with their signature for approval and their contact info to easily schedule the work.

Schedule repairs:
Easily schedule repairs and keep track of up to 20 employees completing repairs. 
Calendar views by Month
Calendar views by Week
Calendar views by Day
Calendar summary list

Track Filter Cleanings:
Stay organized and track when filters are coming due to be cleaned or past due on your dashboard automatically. 

Track Salt Cell Cleanings:
Don't miss a salt cell cleaning again with automatic tracking in Paythepoolman.

Stop losing money from credit card processing fees:
Set a fee to be added to any credit card payment taken in the system to offset transaction fees right away with a click of a button. Saving you up to thousands every year.

View Gate/Lock Codes:
Never get stuck without the front gate code or combination to gain entrance. View all Customer's Codes with one click. Perfect for your phone/tablet. Stop searching for the right code.

Log Customer's Equipment:
Log all of your customer’s equipment with all relevant data and 5 images per piece of equipment. Logging the equipment will eliminate these common questions.
Can't remember what part you need at the part store?
What size pipe do you need?
What horsepower was that motor?
What was that cartridge number?
Be able to walk customers through questions better
Be organized and more time-efficient

Search by Address or Name:
Can't remember your customer's name? We have you covered just start typing any part of your customer's address into our search box and we will help you find them. You can also search by name.

Mass Emails:
Send a quick, professional email to all of your customers with a few clicks of a button!
Vacation Notices
Sick Notices
List a product sale for the month
Remind customers to clean out baskets when windy
Announce price changes

Stop guessing how much a pool is costing you:
Paythepoolman Plus lets you see your chemical cost live while entering it during your service stop.

Quickly see your saturation index:
No reason to stop your testing and do the calculations we got you covered. See the LS Index, no extra steps, no more wasted time at the customer's house, and see what adjustments need to be made on the fly.

An Awesome Shopping List:
Keep track of items needed easily in the office or the field. Track if an item has been requested, bought, loaded onto a truck, or installed. Take images of the item you need to help get the correct part the first time.

Record your filter readings:
Quickly lookup filter readings that were recorded during a service stop.

Download transactions from your bank account:
Capture images of receipts or invoices. Use "Quick Receipts" to save invoices or receipts to log later(keeping you on the move). Monitor custom goals you set for the year. Easily Convert from Quickbooks, we've made it easy for you to bring your customer information to paythepoolman.com!

Quickbooks Integrations Beta:
If you cannot leave your Quickbooks Online behind, do not fear! Paythepoolman gives you the ability to use all of our features and then send your billing info to Quickbooks at any time.

Send Invoices from Paythepoolman to Quickbooks
Send Customers from Paythepoolman to Quickbooks
Send Payments from Paythepoolman to Quickbooks
Send Income Items from Paythepoolman to Quickbooks
Send Expense Items from Paythepoolman to Quickbooks
Send Bids from Paythepoolman to Quickbooks
Send Vendors from Paythepoolman to Quickbooks
Send Expenses from Paythepoolman to Quickbooks

Is it time to raise your rates:
Paythepoolman gives you the quickest solution to handle a mass rate change, or simply one by one. You can choose to raise your rates by percentage or a flat rate. Paythepoolman even gives you a template to customize, explaining to your customer why their rate has gone up.

As you can see there are just a ton of features available for a low monthly price. 


Friday, January 14, 2022

Changing the Polaris 3900 sport (P39) RO538000 Head Float

The Polaris 3900 Sport and its sister cleaner the P39 are both extremely popular Polaris pressure side cleaner models. And for good reason as they work extremely well. The biggest downside to these cleaners is the updated body design. In particular, if you compare it to the Polaris 280 it is more like doing repairs on a 1988 Toyota Corolla vs a 2022 Tesla.




Maybe not that extreme but when it comes to replacing the RO538000 Head Float for the 3900 Sport and P39 you will need to disassemble most of the cleaner. With the Polaris 280, you simply pull it off the back and it takes 10 seconds. Can I get a hip hip hooray for over-engineering? 

The float on the back is an important part that allows the Polaris cleaner to stay balanced in the pool. The 3-wheel design is not the most aerodynamic or more importantly not the most stable design format for a cleaner that is moving on the bottom of a pool. Think of the float as a counterbalance that keeps the cleaner upright on the pool bottom. 

The reason you may need to change the float is that the plastic can get old from being in the pool all year and after several years cracks will form letting water in. I should have noted that the float is hallowed and filled with air. An important engineering point and as the water gets in from the crack or cracks the float will fill up with water. This, of course, makes the float heavy and you will find the Polaris tipped over on its side once enough water gets in. 

Time to change the float:
You find the cleaner at the bottom of the pool on its side.
You find the cleaner tipping over or moving with one wheel off the ground
You find the sweep hose dragging the cleaner on its side across the bottom of the pool
The cleaner won’t stay up on its wheels and constantly falls to one side

Why couldn’t Polaris design the 3900 Sport and P39 to have a float that just simply pulls off? Don’t know. It is a pretty critical part of the cleaner and when it is full of water the cleaner is non-functional. Fortunately, you don’t have to take it into a shop to get it repaired. The video will show you the simple step-by-step disassembly procedure. 

Thursday, January 13, 2022

PoolCorp Acquires Pinch A Penny

The swimming pool service sector is being squeezed from two sides now. In the last couple of years, National Pool Partners (NPP) has been buying up large pool service companies and merging them into giant regional pool service companies sometimes taking over entire communities. Now PoolCorp has thrown its hat into the pool service arena by their recent purchase of the Pinch A Penny franchise parent company Porpoise Pool & Patio Inc, and Sun Wholesale Supply Inc. 




What does all of this mean for your pool service company? That all depends on your region and company size but in a nutshell, these two entities are going to create more cooperate-run competition for you. NPP is expanding mainly in employer-friendly states like Florida and Texas and they are actively purchasing large pool companies with 1,000 or 2,000 or more accounts. Gobbling up the big fish companies in the areas they operate in. But NPP is not a discount pool service and they will be charging premium rates. Think Terminix vs your local mom and pop pest control. 

PoolCorp acquiring Pinch A Penny is a real head-scratcher. They are known as a wholesaler that supplies local pool stores and local pool service companies so purchasing a company that has franchise pool stores and service companies is a big step out of their well-defined box. The local SCP and Superior locations do not sell directly to homeowners so I am not sure how essentially buying 260 pool stores will affect other pool stores they sell to in the Pinch A Penny territories. The Pinch A Penny stores are independently operated and pay a franchise fee to use that branding. The problem I see is that these locations also provide weekly pool service. 

My best guess is that PoolCorp will aggressively expand the Pinch A Penny franchise opportunities and that they are looking to double or triple the amount of Pinch A Penny stores across the nation. In a way, this is bad news for other pool stores and other pool service companies. Logically PoolCorp will favor the Pinch A Penny franchisee over other stores and pool companies they sell wholesale to. If you are being paid a franchise fee you want to expand offering a discounted wholesale pricing model is a smart business. They will also favor the Pinch A Penny locations when it comes to chemicals and equipment putting those 260 stores first on the list and any new stores that open under the Pinch A Penny name.

For the largest wholesaler to purchase a franchise pool company seems a bit out in the left-field and a move that could alienate their loyal customers in those regions where Pinch A Penny now operates and will expand to. The only good thing about being in California is that the state is not employer-friendly. Not one bit. NPP is staying out of California and I suspect PoolCorp is already feeling the pain of operating in California and has little desire to expand here shortly. So at least we California pool companies are safe from these cooperate giants for the moment. 


Thursday, January 6, 2022

Multi-Tork Socket Set 101

 If you clean multiple full-size filters on your pool route each season, speeding up your cleanings is always something in the back of your mind. The best tool that I have found to make your day faster is the Multi-Tork socket tool. I’ve been using them for years and I have the first edition set made out of plastic to prove it. The latest versions are all metal and built to last.



 The Multi-Tork Filter Sockets are designed to help you get the pool filter clamps on and off the filters very rapidly. You simply attach the specific socket for your filter to a drill and spin the clamp or bolt loose in a matter of seconds. These sockets work on a variety of filters by the three name-brand manufacturers - Pentair, Hayward, and Jandy as well as some off-brand filters. This is a simple way to speed up your day if you are a pool service professional and a great tool for the Do-it-Yourself homeowner.

 Time is money out in the field and if you take apart and clean multiple filters on your pool route you will be impressed with the time saved by using the Multi-Tork socket tool. If you visit their website you can see all of the various sockets that they make and also find out where you can order a socket or set of sockets.

 http://www.multi-tork.com/

 If you like ordering off of Amazon.com I have a web page set up with some links to the more popular sockets: https://www.swimmingpoollearning.com/multi-tork

 Their most popular product is the MT-301 Socket set and the MT-301AM  which is a Stainless Steel version of the pack. This includes three sockets and these sockets work on the Pentair Clean & Clear Plus, FNS Plus, 4000 Series, and 2000 Series filters. They also work on the Jandy filter models as well as on the Hayward Pro-Grid Filters. Hayward has a filter that is not compatible with this set, the SwimClear Filter, but you can order the MT-100H to add to these three sockets for that specific Hayward filter. The MT-301 is a perfect pack to get you started and you will be very pleased with the quality and versatility of the sockets.

Another product that Multi-Tork makes is the Button Hook drain plug removal tool. The Button Hook works especially well on the Pentair Clean & Clear Plus and Quad D.E. filters which have the drain plug directly under the inlet and outlet pipes making it very hard to reach with any standard wrench. The curved design of the Button Hook makes for easy removal of that drain plug as well as several other manufacturer drain plugs. It is very durable and you will find it to be an essential tool for filter cleanings.

 The Klorkinator is another unique tool that is designed to help with the removal of pump lids as well as chlorinator lids. This will save you from pulling a muscle while trying to loosen a lid that just won't budge. It is a fast a simple way to remove stuck or stiff lids and you will find this to be an invaluable tool out in the field.

Related Videos:

Multi-Tork MTJ-770 Filter Socket for Faster Cleaning of Sta-Rite System 3 Filters: https://youtu.be/hO1x3S1EMio

Multi-Tork Filter Socket Tool - For Faster Filter Cleaning: http://youtu.be/aI-rPOSMv-k

Multi-Tork MT-100 Double-Hex Anodized Aluminum Pool Socket: https://youtu.be/1cRFHEddYVM

Multi-Tork MT-100H Socket for Hayward Filters & Harmsco Filters: https://youtu.be/wkeFUfeMSk8

Button Hook - Filter Drain Plug Removal Tool & More!: http://youtu.be/JoGVpbSIAkI

KLORKINATOR. Klick. Twist. Done. - Lid & Cover Removal Tool: http://youtu.be/esP1CrYvRNE

 

Monday, January 3, 2022

Should You Upgrade to a Saltwater Pool in 2022?

 With the looming chemicals shortage in 2022 coming off a disastrous 2021 you may be considering upgrading to a saltwater pool (SWG) to avoid the coming madness. Or you may want to sell more of these to the customers on your pool route. The only real benefit of a SWG is that it will add chlorine to the pool for you or more accurately create or generate chlorine and introduce it into the pool without you doing anything.



You don't save any money when you convert to a salt pool. It cost a lot more than using Chlorine or Bleach in your pool. Factor in the cost of the unit plus install, say $1,500 and then a new salt cell every 3-5 years at $500 and the salt to start $150 and you’re looking at over $2,000 for the first 5 years. And this is a low estimate in some regards.  You would have to spend over $400 a year on chlorine to match that number. Typically, you are not spending over $100-$200 a season for your chlorine.

 The other drawback is the constantly rising pH. Calcium flakes in the pool. Corrosive water to metal components to name a few. I would want you to weigh the one benefit against these cons before leaping to a saltwater system.

 I am pretty honest about the true benefit of a saltwater system, the fact that it adds chlorine to the pool without you having to do anything. This means no more trips to the pool store for shock or liquid chlorine. It is a great time saver for sure. But for me, that is the only benefit.

With that said, a saltwater system is a preference. And if you can absorb the cost of the system and don't mind the extra overall cost of a salt pool, then it is the way to go. I mean who wants to add tablets and liquid chlorine or shock every week to their pool? With a Saltwater Generator connected to your pool equipment, you can set it and forget it. Of course, there is some maintenance required like cleaning the salt cell, making sure the salt level is good, and setting the output to the correct setting to chlorinate your pool, but for the most part, it is much easier than trying to maintain a steady chlorine reading during the season by manually adding chlorine to the pool.

 But in the long run, as stated above there is no way it can beat the overall cost of maintaining your pool with chlorine. So, if the salesperson tries to convince you that a Saltwater Pool is cheaper to operate he is misinformed. Upgrading is a personal choice and one you should make according to your overall pool care budget. Everything depends on how much more you are willing to spend on not worrying about adding chlorine each week to your pool. I have a Saltwater Pool and I am so used to the convenience of it that I wouldn’t be able to go back to a manual chlorine pool. So, once you convert you probably will not go back either.

There are many very good Salt Systems to choose from in today's market. And many with installation will be under $1,000 so it is getting more and more affordable. I would suggest looking into the Jandy TruClear and the Pentair iChlor Salt Water Systems to start with. Both are great compact systems loaded with the latest technology. Both are rated for about 30,000 gallons so even if you have a very large pool these systems will work fine for you. Some off-brand salt systems start around the $500 range so shop around for the best system depending on your budget.