How to Clean Salt Chlorinators

A salt chlorinator can help keep your swimming pool clean by turning salt into chlorine that kills the bacteria and algae that can accumulate in a pool without proper care. To keep your pool clean, though, you must keep your salt chlorinator in good condition with regular cleaning. This is done by cleaning the salt generator cells within the system. As the system turns salt into chlorine, buildups of calcium form on the cells, making the chlorinator less effective.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Saltwater chlorinator Water Bucket Muriatic acid Soda ash Gloves

1. Remove the back of the chlorinator system and check the cells, or electrodes, for deposits of calcium. If you notice a buildup, remove the cells in the chlorinator, per the manufacturer's instructions.

2. Prepare a weak acid mixture by mixing about six parts water with one part muriatic acid.

3. Place the cells into the acid mixture and let soak for between 5 and 15 minutes, or until the buildup has dissolved. If you need to leave the cells in the mixture longer than 15 minutes, remove the cells, rinse with clean water and return to the acid mixture.

4. Allow the cells to dry before replacing in the salt chlorinator.

Tips & Warnings

• Wear gloves when working with acid as it can cause burns or irritation if contact is made with the skin. To dispose of the soaking solution, add three times as much soda ash as muriatic acid to the mixture. Allow to sit for a few minutes. The pH in the soda ash will neutralize the acid. It can then be poured out safely on the ground away from where children and animals play.
• Do not dump the acid, sodium and water mixture from cleaning back into the water,. Never mix chlorine with muriatic acid. The fumes can be fatal.

References

• Swimming Pool & Spa Association of New South Wales Ltd