Saltwater pools have gotten really popular in Texas over the past decade. Homeowners love the idea of softer water, fewer chemicals, and less maintenance. But is the hype real?
After installing pools across Dallas, Plano, and Frisco for decades, here’s the honest truth: yes, saltwater is worth it for most Texas homeowners, but it’s not magic. Let’s break down what you’re really getting.
What Actually Is A Saltwater Pool?
Saltwater pools aren’t like swimming in the ocean. The salt level is about one-tenth of ocean water – you can barely taste it.
Here’s how it works: you add salt to your pool, and a generator converts that salt into chlorine automatically. You’re still using chlorine, you’re just making it differently instead of adding tablets manually.
Why Texas Homeowners Love Saltwater
Softer water: Feels silky on skin. No more red eyes, dry skin, or bleached swimsuits.
Less chemical handling: No buying, storing, or adding chlorine tablets. No more weekly pool store trips.
Steady chlorine levels: Generator produces chlorine constantly instead of spiking and dropping.
Lower long-term costs: After initial investment, you buy cheap salt instead of expensive chlorine.
The Real Costs Nobody Tells You
Upfront: $1,500-$2,500 added to new pool build, or $1,200-$2,000 to retrofit existing pool
Ongoing: Salt cell replacement every 3-5 years ($400-$800)
Electric: Generator adds $20-40 monthly to bills
10-Year comparison:
- Traditional chlorine: $6,800 total
- Saltwater system: $4,200 total
- You save: $2,600 over 10 years
The Downsides
You still need to balance pH, alkalinity, calcium, and stabilizer. You still brush and vacuum. The system only handles chlorine production.
Salt is corrosive. Stone coping and metal fixtures can deteriorate faster if chemistry isn’t monitored, especially in Texas heat.
Texas sun burns through stabilizer quickly. Even with saltwater, you need to monitor chemistry or you’ll get algae.
You May Like To Read: Best Pool Builders In Dallas, TX (2026 Guide)
Who Should Get Saltwater?
Good fit if you:
- Have young kids with sensitive skin
- Want less chemical handling
- Swim frequently
- Plan to stay in your home 5+ years
Skip it if you:
- Need to save upfront costs
- Rarely use your pool
- Already have a pool maintenance service
Can You Convert Existing Pools?
Yes! Almost any pool can be converted to saltwater. We’ve retrofitted hundreds in the Dallas area. The process takes a few hours and you’re swimming within days.
Just be careful if you have natural stone coping or decorative metal – you’ll need to watch water chemistry closely.
The Verdict
For most Texas homeowners, saltwater is worth it. The improved water feel, lower long-term costs, and reduced hassle make it a smart upgrade.
About 60% of new pools we build now include saltwater systems. Homeowners who switch rarely regret it.
Just understand it’s not maintenance-free and budget for the upfront cost plus eventual cell replacement.
Call (972) 335-2777 to discuss adding a saltwater system to your new pool or converting your existing one.
