Saltwater pools are a popular alternative to traditional chlorine pools, as they offer many benefits such as softer water, less irritation to the eyes and skin, and lower maintenance costs. However, saltwater pools also have some drawbacks, such as the possibility of having too much salt in the water.
This can happen due to various reasons, such as adding too much salt by mistake, having a faulty salt chlorinator, or having a high evaporation rate. Too much salt can cause problems such as corrosion of pool equipment, scaling of pool surfaces, and discomfort for swimmers.
Fortunately, there is a way to lower the salt level in your pool without draining it completely. This method involves diluting the pool water with fresh water from a garden hose or another source. Here are the steps to follow:
Step 1: Test your pool’s salinity
Before you start diluting your pool water, you need to know how much salt is in it. You can use a test strip or a digital tester to measure the salinity of your pool water. The recommended range for saltwater pools is between 2,700 and 3,400 parts per million (PPM), with the optimal level being 3,200 PPM. If your salinity is higher than this range, you need to lower it by adding fresh water.
Step 2: Calculate how much water you need to drain
To lower the salt level in your pool, you need to drain some of the water and replace it with fresh water. The amount of water you need to drain depends on your current salinity and your desired salinity. You can use this formula to calculate how much water you need to drain:
Water to drain (gallons) = Pool volume (gallons) x (Current salinity – Desired salinity) / Current salinity
For example, if you have a 10,000-gallon pool and your current salinity is 4,000 PPM and you want to lower it to 3,200 PPM, you need to drain:
Water to drain (gallons) = 10,000 x (4,000 – 3,200) / 4,000 Water to drain (gallons) = 2,000
This means you need to drain 2,000 gallons of water from your pool and replace it with fresh water.
Step 3: Drain and refill the pool
To drain the pool water, you can use a submersible pump or a siphon hose. Make sure you direct the water away from your house and any plants or animals that may be affected by the salt. You can also check with your local authorities if there are any regulations or restrictions on draining pool water.
To refill the pool with fresh water, you can use a garden hose or another source of water. Make sure you monitor the water level and stop when you reach the desired level. You can also use a test strip or a digital tester to check the salinity of the new water.
Step 4: Test and adjust the pool chemistry
After diluting your pool water with fresh water, you need to test and adjust the pool chemistry. This includes checking and balancing the pH, alkalinity, calcium hardness, stabilizer, and chlorine levels. You may need to add some chemicals or products to restore the balance of your pool water. You can follow the instructions on the product labels or consult a pool professional for guidance.
Step 5: Enjoy your pool
Once you have lowered the salt level in your pool and balanced the pool chemistry, you can enjoy your pool again. You should test your pool water regularly and maintain it properly to prevent any issues in the future. You should also keep track of how much salt you add to your pool and how often you need to dilute it.