To Salt or not to Salt, that is the question!
Saltwater hot tubs have gained a lot of traction in recent years. They are touted as being low-maintenance, chemical free, and healthier for both humans and the environment. However, these claims might not always be true. In terms of cost and maintenance, saltwater spas typically require a more substantial upfront investment than other types of hot tubs and their operation is more costly because of the effects of the salt. Furthermore, depending on whether and which components are made from corrosion-prone materials, there may also need to be extra service calls due to premature wear and tear.
So, before you make the decision to invest in a saltwater hot tub, you need to consider the pros and cons of that choice. Below we will discuss all the things you will need to think about and consider when purchasing a salt water hot tub so you can decide for yourself. Ultimately, however, it is important to talk to a hot tub expert like Mile High Hot Tubs to get the full story. So, if after reading this article you still have questions, contact Mile High Hot Tubs for all the right answers!
Benefits of salt water hot tubs:
There are benefits to saltwater hot tubs that you don’t get with conventional hot tubs. Some of these include:
- The natural chlorine produced by salt water tubs helps keep skin soft
- The water softness means less stress on the material of your bathing suits
- Less irritating to the eyes
- Greater buoyancy of the water
- The smell of chlorine is reduced
- Can be better for sensitive skin
Saltwater tubs clearly have some advantages but, unfortunately, like anything else, there are a few drawbacks.
Salt water hot tubs can be more expensive
Purchase: The initial cost for a saltwater tub is potentially much more expensive than a regular hot tub. The reason is because you have to add a salt chlorine generator. The cost of such a system adds anywhere from as little as $500 to as much as $5000 to the cost.
Maintenance: Although the saltwater system does make its own chlorine, that does not mean that there is less maintenance. In fact, because adding the salt to the water changes the chemistry of the water, there is actually more maintenance. The reason for this is that saltwater tubs produce more calcium creating calcium deposits on the tub. So even though you may not need to add chlorine you will need to add calcium remover, you will still need to test the water and you will still need spa cleaners, metal and stain removers, balancing chemicals, test strips, and more. In addition to these costs, saltwater tubs require a salt cell cartridge to convert the salt to chlorine. That salt cell cartridge will need to be replaced as often as every four months to up to every 4 years and can cost anywhere from $200-$900 each time.
Effect of salt on the tub and surroundings
When you get your saltwater spa, you need to be aware that saltwater systems are not ready as quickly as conventional hot tubs. Due to the need to convert the salt to chlorine it can take up to 72 hours for the electrolysis process to actually create enough chlorine so that the tub is safe to use. This is not an issue for regular hot tubs since once the tub is filled and the chlorine and the other chemicals have been added the tub is ready to use.
Salt is also a corrosive. As noted above, salt cells need to be replaced fairly frequently at potentially great cost. The reason they need to be replaced so often is that the coating on the plates can wear off making them less efficient. In addition, calcium can build up on the plate which prevents the water from flowing over the plate which means there is no electrolysis. When there is no electrolysis the salinity level of the water increases which can corrode and damage hot tub components and plumbing leading to greater maintenance costs.
Salt is not just corrosive to your tub it is corrosive to anything it sits on. When you use your hot tub, water from the hot tub will be splashed onto the area surrounding the tub and be tracked through the area from your tub to the house from wet towels and wet feet. As the water evaporates, salt collects. Over time, this can affect any plants and other landscaping as well as potentially damaging the surface on which the tub sits. So, in addition to maintenance for the tub, you now have to deal with the effects of the salt water on the area surrounding the tub.
You might think, well my tub is on a concrete slab, so salt water shouldn’t have an effect. Unfortunately, salt is essentially a mild acid that affects the aggregate that is the key ingredient in concrete. This weakens the structure of the concrete. Salt also makes holes in the concrete allowing more water to collect which increases the potential damage of the freeze thaw cycle.
What if your tub is sitting on Trex decking? Well, the good news is that the salt will not damage the Trex decking. Trex decking is designed to deal with harsh conditions. However, the fasteners and connectors for the deck are metal which can be corroded by salt. So, although a saltwater tub on a Trex deck is better, you will have to take care to rinse the salt off often to ensure that the deck itself remains intact.
A regular wood deck can also be affected by salt. Salt dries out the wood, affecting the expansion and contraction rate of the wood and corroding the deck. If you have a saltwater tub on a regular wood deck it will be especially important to rinse the deck every time you use the tub.
Can I convert an existing hot tub to a salt water hot tub?
The short answer is yes, an existing hot tub can be converted. The process included:
Draining and cleaning the tub thoroughly: When converting a hot tub to salt water, you have to ensure that no contaminants or residue remain in the tub as those contaminants can affect the salt cell. This includes flushing the plumbing with a spa line flush.
Purchasing and installing a salt cell: As discussed above, to have a saltwater tub you need a salt cell to convert salt to chlorine. Depending on the size of your tub and the system you buy this can be $500 to $5,000.
Fill the tub with dechlorinated water: You cannot use chlorinated water in a saltwater tub. You must have dechlorinated, clean water before you can convert the hot tub to a saltwater tub. There are a few ways to dechlorinate water but for the large volume of water needed for a hot tub, this will require a dechlorination agent.
Start the salt cell: It will take up to 72 hours for the salt cell to convert enough of the salt to chlorine in the hot tub water. You will then need saltwater test strips to test the pH levels and then alkalinity increaser or pH decreasers to balance the water. It will also be necessary to have a filter and filter cleaner.
Maintain salt levels and water temperature: Once you have a saltwater tub, you will have to maintain the specific level of salt or risk green and cloudy water, heavy calcium deposits, and potential damage to your hot tub systems. You will also need to ensure that you maintain the correct temperature for the hot tub. Unlike regular hot tubs, the water in a saltwater tub needs to remain above 60 degrees. Most salt systems are designed to shut down when the temperature drops too low which can reduce the chlorine levels and allow the growth of microorganisms. To keep the salt cell working you will need to maintain the heat in the hot tub at all times.
Maintain the salt cell: In addition to maintaining the salt levels and all of the other levels of a saltwater tub, the salt cells themselves need regular maintenance and cleaning. To make sure your salt cell lasts as long as possible you will need to periodically remove it, rinse it and then soak it in a special acid solution. This will need to be done at least every 3-6 months. It may need to be done more often the more you are using your tub or if you are not maintaining the pH of the water properly.
As you can see it takes a fair amount of effort and expense to convert a conventional hot tub to a saltwater tub, both initially and on an ongoing basis. To learn more about the differences between saltwater tubs and conventional tubs, contact Mile High Hot Tubs, your hot tub experts!
Will a saltwater tub save me money over time?
The concept that saltwater tubs can be less expensive than conventional tubs is a myth. Whether you purchase a saltwater hot tub or convert an existing hot tub, the initial expense is potentially significantly higher than a conventional hot tub. There will still be a need for hot tub chemicals, additional maintenance due to the salt cell, and greater ongoing expense due to the salt cell. There is also the risk to the plumbing and other components of your hot tub, potentially increasing your overall, long term maintenance costs and reducing the life of your tub. It is critical to consider all of the pros and cons before choosing a saltwater hot tub. Contact the experts at Mile High Hot Tubs for more information.
Is there a difference in maintenance between saltwater and traditional hot tubs?
There is a misconception in the hot tub community that saltwater systems require less maintenance than traditional systems. However, this is not accurate as both systems require regular upkeep. In fact, maintaining a saltwater system can be more expensive and time consuming. When you buy a conventional hot tub from Mile High Hot Tubs we can offer you a maintenance package to help you keep your hot tub working optimally for years to come. You can also do some or all of the maintenance yourself for a reasonable amount of time and money. Unfortunately, maintaining a saltwater tub is not so simple and can cost anywhere from $30 to $250 for a professional or up to $45 a month yourself.
To properly maintain a saltwater tub you must:
Empty and refill: Saltwater tubs need to be emptied and refilled every three to four months to keep your salt cell working efficiently. This is a time-consuming process and adds a significant cost to your water bill. In addition, every time you refill and rebalance the water you need to wait up to 72 hours for the salt cell to get the chlorine levels back to where they need to be. This is a loss of up to two weeks a year just waiting for the tub to be ready for use.
Maintain the pH and Alkalinity: Just like a regular hot tub, pH and alkalinity will need to be maintained at least weekly. The difference is, if you do not maintain the balance in a saltwater tub you can end up with skin irritation, cloudy water, and the algae growth. Once that happens it is much harder to get a saltwater tub back in balance.
Clean calcium deposits: Saltwater tubs generally produce more calcium deposits even when properly maintained. These show up as white clouds in your water, a white residue on the hot tub fixtures, deposits on the metal panel of your salt cell, and a ring around your tub at the waterline. If these are not cleaned off regularly it can become quite a chore.
So, what is your best option, conventional or saltwater hot tubs?
As you can see, a saltwater hot tub requires a significant investment of resources, time and effort. Saltwater tubs require similar, if not more, maintenance than traditional ones. So, while saltwater hot tubs do have some benefits, they are not necessarily better than traditional chlorinated hot tubs. Ultimately, the best choice for you will depend on your personal preferences, budget, and maintenance routine. If you still have more questions, Mile High Hot Tubs is here to provide the answers. Contact us today!
