A saltwater pool offers crystal-clear water, a softer swimming experience and reduced manual handling of chemicals — but like any pool, it still needs proper year-round care to stay healthy. Whether you own your first saltwater pool or you’re looking to optimise your maintenance routine, consistent care prevents equipment damage, algae growth and unexpected repair costs.

At Allstar Pool Parts, we’ve spent over 20 years helping pool owners protect their investment with high-quality products and expert support. From salt water pool chlorinators and replacement cells to pumps, filters and durable spare parts, we make it easier to keep your pool operating at peak performance in every season.

How Saltwater Pools Work (and Why That Matters for Maintenance)

Saltwater pools don’t rely on manually added chlorine. Instead, they use a device known as a salt chlorinator, which converts dissolved salt into chlorine through a process called electrolysis. This system provides a steady, consistent supply of sanitiser, meaning fewer harsh chemicals and less irritation for swimmers.

However, your salt chlorinator cell — the component that produces chlorine — requires clean water, proper salt levels and balanced chemistry to work efficiently. When these factors fall outside the ideal range, the cell works harder than necessary, wears out faster and costs more to replace.

This is why regular, seasonal and year-round care is essential.

Year-Round Saltwater Pool Care: What to Do and When

1. Maintain Proper Water Chemistry (Weekly to Fortnightly Checks)

Water chemistry is the foundation of a healthy pool. Even though a saltwater pool practically “makes its own chlorine,” it still needs balanced water conditions to keep the system healthy.

Key Levels to Maintain

• Salt: 2,700–3,400 ppm (check manufacturer recommendations)
• pH: 7.2–7.6
• Alkalinity: 80–120 ppm
• Calcium hardness: 200–400 ppm
• Chlorine: 1–3 ppm
• Stabiliser (Cyanuric Acid): 30–50 ppm

Why it matters:

High pH (a common issue with saltwater pools) reduces chlorine effectiveness, causing algae growth and cloudy water. Low salt levels force the system to work harder, shortening the lifespan of your pool chlorinator cell.

Pro Tip:

Use a reliable liquid test kit or digital tester for accurate readings. Test strips can be convenient but often less precise.

2. Clean and Inspect the Salt Cell (Every 2–3 Months)

Your salt cell is the heart of the salt water pool chlorinator — and keeping it clean ensures consistent chlorine production.

Signs Your Salt Cell Needs Cleaning

• “Low salt,” “check cell,” or “no flow” warnings
• Reduced chlorine output
• Dull or cloudy water
• Visible calcium scaling

How to Clean It Safely

1. Turn off the pool pump and chlorinator.
2. Remove the cell carefully.
3. Rinse with fresh water to remove loose debris.
4. If scaling persists, soak the cell in a mild, manufacturer-approved acid solution (usually 1:10 acid to water).
5. Rinse thoroughly and reinstall.

Avoid overcleaning — excessive acid exposure can damage the cell coatings.

If your cell is worn out or producing less chlorine even after cleaning, it may be time to replace it. Allstar Pool Parts stocks a wide range of affordable, long-lasting replacement chlorinator cells.

3. Monitor Your Salt Levels (Monthly)

Proper salt levels help your chlorinator run efficiently without strain. Too little salt reduces chlorine production; too much can corrode equipment.

Seasonal rain, splash-out and top-ups all affect salt levels. Use a digital salinity meter for accuracy and only add high-purity pool salt.

If you’re upgrading equipment, Allstar Pool Parts offers superior-quality systems like a swimming pool salt chlorinator that deliver dependable output and long-term performance.

4. Maintain Your Pump and Filter (Weekly to Monthly)

Even the best chlorinator can’t perform in dirty or poorly circulated water. Your pump and pool filter keep water clean, balanced and moving — all essential for proper sanitation.

Pump Maintenance

• Check pump baskets weekly and empty debris.
• Inspect seals and O-rings for wear.
• Ensure consistent water flow to avoid low-flow errors.

Filter Maintenance

Depending on your filter type:

• Sand filters: Backwash every 3–6 weeks, and replace sand every 3–5 years.
• Cartridge filters: Hose cartridges are monthly and replaced when worn.
• DE filters: Backwash and recharge as directed.

Clogged filters reduce system efficiency and can force your salt system to work harder.

5. Brush, Skim and Vacuum Regularly (Weekly)

Even with strong sanitation, dirt, pollen, and organic debris can lead to algae or stains if left to accumulate.

Weekly Tasks

• Skim leaves and debris off the surface.
• Brush walls, steps and waterline tiles.
• Vacuum the pool manually or run your robotic cleaner.

Regular brushing also prevents scale buildup — especially important in saltwater pools.

6. Keep Your Equipment Area Clean and Dry (All Year)

Saltwater systems are designed for outdoor environments, but blowing leaves, insects, and moisture can affect components.

• Remove debris around the pump and chlorinator pads.
• Make sure electrical equipment stays protected from rain.
• Check cables and housings for corrosion.

Allstar Pool Parts also offers spare parts for pumps, chlorinators and filters to help you replace worn components early — before they cause system failure.

Seasonal Saltwater Pool Care

While most enjoy swimming year-round, seasonal maintenance helps your system adjust to temperature changes and weather conditions.

Summer Saltwater Pool Care

• Test water chemistry 2–3 times per week.
• Increase pump runtime; hot weather speeds up algae growth.
• Ensure your salt water pool chlorinator is set to a higher production mode to meet increased demand.
• Watch for heavy rain or storms, which dilute salt levels.

Summer is the busiest time for your system, so regular checks prevent mid-season issues.

Autumn Saltwater Pool Care

• Reduce chlorine output as water starts to cool.
• Remove falling leaves quickly to prevent staining.
• Check salt levels after heavy rainfall.
• Clean your chlorinator cell before winter.

Autumn is also a good time to inspect your equipment and replace any worn parts.

Winter Saltwater Pool Care

Saltwater pools still produce chlorine in winter, just at a lower rate. Avoid switching your system off entirely, as stagnant water creates major problems.

Winter Checklist

• Run the pump at least 4–6 hours a day.
• Reduce chlorine production, but don’t turn it off.
• Keep your pool covered to reduce debris.
• Check water chemistry every 2–4 weeks.

If your pool temperature drops very low, some chlorinators automatically reduce output to protect the salt chlorinator cell. Maintaining balanced water chemistry prevents freezing or scaling damage during cold snaps.

Spring Saltwater Pool Care

Spring is the best time to prepare for the swimming season.

• Deep clean the pool — brush walls, steps and floors.
• Check all equipment for winter wear.
• Inspect the pool chlorinator cell and pump for blockages.
• Balance the water and restore the chlorinator to normal output.

This ensures everything runs smoothly before summer starts.

Get the Best Saltwater Pool Equipment at Allstar Pool Parts

A saltwater pool is one of the easiest and most enjoyable pool systems to maintain — especially when you have the right equipment. With consistent weekly, monthly and seasonal care, you’ll ensure your pool stays sparkling, healthy and safe for your family all year round.

At Allstar Pool Parts, we offer:

• High-quality salt chlorinators
• Long-lasting replacement salt cells
• Pumps, filters and spare parts

Whether you’re upgrading an old system, replacing a worn cell or need reliable pool supplies at affordable prices, we’re here to help.