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Saltwater Pools Are Popular at the Jersey Shore But They Come With Unique Leak Risks
Saltwater pools have become increasingly popular among Jersey Shore homeowners in communities like Wall Township, Spring Lake, Manasquan, and Point Pleasant Beach. The appeal is easy to understand: softer-feeling water, lower ongoing chlorine costs, and less of that harsh chemical smell that comes with traditional chlorine pools.
But while saltwater pools offer a more pleasant swimming experience, they also introduce a set of challenges that traditional chlorine pools do not face — particularly when it comes to leaks. The salt in the water, while present at much lower concentrations than ocean water, creates a mildly corrosive environment that can accelerate wear on certain pool components over time.
Understanding these unique risks is essential for saltwater pool owners who want to protect their investment and avoid costly repairs.
How Salt Accelerates Corrosion and Creates Leak Points
Salt is naturally corrosive, and even at the relatively low concentrations used in residential saltwater pools (typically 2,700 to 3,400 parts per million), it can take a toll on pool components that were not designed to handle prolonged salt exposure.
The most common areas affected by salt-related corrosion include metal fittings and hardware around the pool such as ladder anchors, handrail bases, and light fixture housings. The salt cell itself and its plumbing connections are also vulnerable, along with heat exchanger components inside pool heaters, stone or masonry coping and decking materials, and underground copper plumbing if present in older pools.
When metal components corrode, they can develop pinholes or separation points that allow water to escape. A corroded light niche fitting, for example, can create a slow but persistent leak that is difficult to detect without professional equipment. Similarly, degraded connections at the salt cell or heater can develop drips that waste water and potentially damage surrounding equipment.
Signs Your Saltwater Pool May Be Leaking
Many of the signs of a saltwater pool leak are similar to those of any pool leak, but there are some indicators that are more specific to salt systems.
Watch for these warning signs: a consistent drop in water level beyond what normal evaporation would cause, white crystalline salt deposits forming around fittings, coping, or equipment connections, rust staining or green patina around metal components near the pool, your salt cell requiring more frequent cleaning or showing error codes, fluctuating salt readings despite not adding salt, wet or soggy spots in the yard near the pool or equipment pad, and higher than expected water bills.
If you notice salt deposits forming around fittings or equipment connections, pay close attention. This often indicates that water is slowly weeping through a compromised seal or connection point, and as the water evaporates, it leaves behind visible salt residue. This is essentially the leak announcing its own location — but it still requires professional evaluation to determine the full scope of the issue.
Why Saltwater Pool Leak Detection Requires Specialized Expertise
Detecting leaks in saltwater pools requires the same advanced technology used for traditional pools — including electronic listening equipment, pressure testing, and dye testing — but it also requires an understanding of how salt systems interact with pool plumbing and components.
For example, a technician who is experienced with saltwater pools will know to carefully inspect the connections around the salt cell, the bonding and grounding of the pool's electrical system (which salt can compromise), and the condition of any metallic components that may have degraded due to electrolysis or galvanic corrosion.
At Caliber Pool Pro, our team has extensive experience working with both traditional chlorine and saltwater pool systems throughout the Jersey Shore. We understand the specific failure points that saltwater pools are prone to and can quickly identify whether a leak is related to salt-induced corrosion or another cause entirely.
Preventing Leaks in Your Saltwater Pool
While you cannot eliminate the corrosive nature of salt entirely, there are steps you can take to minimize the risk of leaks developing in your saltwater pool.
Maintain proper salt levels within the manufacturer's recommended range for your salt chlorine generator. Running salt levels too high accelerates corrosion on all components. Keep your water chemistry balanced, paying particular attention to pH, as high pH combined with salt creates a more aggressive environment for metal corrosion.
Inspect metal components around the pool at least twice per year, looking for early signs of rust, pitting, or discoloration. Consider using sacrificial zinc anodes in your plumbing system, which can help protect other metal components from galvanic corrosion. Have your salt cell cleaned and inspected regularly, and replace it when it reaches end of life rather than running it past its rated lifespan.
Schedule an annual professional pool inspection that includes a thorough evaluation of all salt-system-specific components. Catching early signs of corrosion or wear before they become full leaks is far less expensive than repairing the damage after the fact.
Saltwater Pool Leak? Call Caliber Pool Pro
If you suspect your saltwater pool is leaking, do not wait for the problem to get worse. Salt-related leaks can cause accelerated damage to your pool's structure and equipment if left unaddressed.
Caliber Pool Pro provides expert leak detection and repair services for both saltwater and traditional chlorine pools across the Jersey Shore, including Wall Township, Toms River, Brick Township, Spring Lake, Point Pleasant, and all of Monmouth and Ocean County.
Call us at (833) 776-2205 or visit caliberpoolpro.com to schedule your saltwater pool leak detection today.