How to Clean a Salt Cell

[@George-pz6mj]

Acid should be diluted 10 to 1 (example 1 litre of water and 100ml of acid) and do NOT leave the acid in there for ages it will start eating at things, 10-15 mins max). Also lubricate the o-ring before screwing it back together, this will help prevent air leaks and helps seat it correctly. Also if you do not want to remove the cartridge you can unscrew from the 2 plumbing connections. Turn the unit upside down and put your solution in till it covers the entire cartridge. I personally do it this way but both work. You don't really want to be scrubbing at things, just let the acid do its job. If you find a bit of grease etc use some warm water and washing detergent at the end to eliminate any grease/oils, let it soak in for 5-10 mins then flush out with clean water

[@jpadilla7677]

Thanks this saved me from purchasing a new system I had no idea it was a serviceable and it was needed. Never told bye installer

[@willowtreepoolservice764]

Sure thing, glad to hear it!

[@lauralibertybean1569]

Thanks for the video! I had mine sit in vinegar for 20 min and it cleaned it great for me! I also used a paint stick for some thick sodium build-up.

[@willowtreepoolservice764]

Good to know it even works with vinegar! I've heard of using a paint stick to scrub off some of the calcification but have never seen it thick enough personally to necessitate it.

[@duaruatolu9248]

As he said, be careful with the acid. Always add acid to water, not the other way around. Also, wear PPE such as gloves (and a mask if you are sensitive to chemicals). Would recommend some eye protection ... your normal glasses or better still a pair of goggles picked up at your hardware store.

[@tkowalyk]

Good video. Clear and to the point. One comment is you should not pour the solution that you used to clean the salt cell back in the pool. There’s a re-introducing this dissolved, calcium and your water.

[@willowtreepoolservice764]

Thank you! Since making this video, Ive switched over to dumping the solution in a patch of dirt instead, not sure it matters either way but it makes me feel better at night.

[@johannaluna6377]

In talking to my pool guy, he said never to dispose of the water into the pool like you suggest in your video, because I essentially put the calcium back into my pool. This was incorrect information. I wish I would have known before.

[@willowtreepoolservice764]

Johanna, I am not sure of the correct answer there. Although the calcium composition is changed during the chemical reaction between the scale and the muriatic acid, it is possible that reintroducing it into the pool isn't the best idea. Perhaps a better way would be to just dump the solution in a patch of dirt away from plants and animals.

[@hacksguitarhobby]

Have to say, I disagree with Johanna’s pool guy’s blanket statement. A certain amount of dissolved calcium is necessary in pool water. Unless my calcium hardness was borderline high, I would not hesitate to do this, and in fact, I always do exactly this. If PH is already low, doing this will be counterproductive, but it’s such a small amount of acid that it’s easily corrected in any case.

[@willowtreepoolservice764]

Yes, I’m not convinced the amount of calcium in the salt cell is relevant to matter in the scheme of things. I and countless other Pool service providers use calcium Hypochlorite shock to keep algae under control each week. Only a tiny fraction of the total calcium in the water might end up as scale on the grids and as you referred to, a lot of it has to do with high ph.

[@jasonmason6910]

Americans are just so useful on the internet

[@KurtPapke]

According to my Breeze manual (pasted the following from it): THERE IS NO NEED TO USE ACID FOR THIS PROCESS AS IT REDUCES THE LIFE OF THE ELECTRODES. I have used only a paint stick for 4 years and still my electrodes eventually corroded.

[@willowtreepoolservice764]

Yeah Kurt, you always want to start with a paint stick for visible debris. This is the most non-invasive method for cleaning the plates. Often times, with stubborn corrosion or for plates that are harder to reach (such as the Hayward Turbo cell) you will need to use a diluted acid solution to properly clean them. Unfortunately, any form of acid, be it simply acidic water conditions from the pool or a diluted mix of 4 to 1 muriatic wash, will decrease the life of the plates slightly. But the trade off is that the plates can more effectively use the electric current to convert the NaCl to Cl.

[@thealchemist7819]

Thanks my man. ❤

[@willowtreepoolservice764]

Thank you!

[@rich2209]

My client has the same cell. What diameter PVC are you using?

[@parkerfinn6340]

nice job dude saved me money

[@ro13meo]

Just what I was looking for. Thanks

[@willowtreepoolservice764]

Thanks Romeo!

[@Yes-sl7gz]

Great video. I followed your steps but when I put back the tube, I can’t stop water from leaking out. Am I missing something?

[@quantifiedhealthacademy]

Yes!, it sounds like an o ring gasket around the salt cell might have come loose or off entirely, that’s usually the reason for leaks. It could also be just a matter of tightening it more.

[@Yes-sl7gz]

@@quantifiedhealthacademy thanks!

[@rogerchavez9824]

Exactly ☺️

[@TrollMeister_]

Helpful. Thanks.

[@preflopstore9718]

Pouring the acid back into the pool, is that safe?

[@willowtreepoolservice764]

Yes, it is safe since it’s such a small amount of acid. Besides, if there is calcification on the plates, the net chemical reaction would be a more neutral solution so it shouldn’t affect the pH of the pool much.

[@erickrhernandez1451]

Do you have any “power clean salt cell”? Any videos on how to clean them?

[@willowtreepoolservice764]

I’m not sure what you mean by powerclean, the salt cell can only be cleaned with an acid bath as demonstrated in the video.

[@biblescouts6773]

can you use vinegar instead of acid?

[@willowtreepoolservice764]

Hmmm, maybe. If you did, you would probably need to soak it for a lot longer. Muriatic acid is much stronger than vinegar, but both are types of acid. You could probably use vinegar if its more convenient; I would just use it straight without diluting it.

[@Gordoppd369]

I used vinegar sever years now my pools above ground

[@jaysonx5576]

Thanks brah 😎🤙🏾😂

[@willowtreepoolservice764]

💪💪💪

[@erickrhernandez1451]

What do you mean 1 part acid and 5 parts water? How do you measure that?

[@George-pz6mj]

Should be 1 part acid in 10 parts of water... so for example if you add 1 litre of water into a bucket then fill it up with 100ml of acid

[@willowtreepoolservice764]

I usually just eyeball it. Take a bucket and fill it with water, then judge how much 1/4 acid would be relative to it.

[@Sagacity61]

1: Ratio is universally recommended as 1:10. Measured, not guessed. 2: That's not corrosion, it's calcium deposit. 3.The plates were almost pristine, didn't need cleaning ATM. 4. You said you were going to "go ahead" nine times. Not necessary. Somewhat annoying.

[@Haleysjeep]

I have that same system in the owners manual says do not use acid just scrape off the salt.

[@willowtreepoolservice764]

@Alicia Krick, if you can scrape off the calcium deposits with a paint stick for instance try that first, but they are chemically bonded on to the electrodes so you may not be able to. Personally, I wouldn't have an issue using a diluted solution of acid, but that's just me. If you are afraid of ruining the plates somehow, use a weaker acid such as citric acid, ascorbic acid, or acetic acid (vinegar).

[@tylergregory4595]

Does anyone know where to get a replacement salt cell cap? Mine cracked. Thanks

[@willowtreepoolservice764]

You can buy them on Amazon, they usually have the best prices honestly. If you buy them from the manufacturer directly, or from a retailer like Leslie's, you're going to pay a markup. Professionals in the industry buy theirs wholesale, but the price in my experience is about comparable, maybe a little less, than Amazon.

[@tylergregory4595]

@@willowtreepoolservice764 Thank you!

[@willowtreepoolservice764]

@@tylergregory4595 you're welcome! Hopefully you found one.

[@ryanbedwell2144]

If someone used a screw driver on the cell, to clean some parts of calcium remaining off, what would happen?

[@willowtreepoolservice764]

That would be fine as long as you don’t scratch the electrodes, it’s better to use a paint stick!

[@jerrydickover5308]

Difficulty removing retainer any help?

[@willowtreepoolservice764]

Hey Jerry! Actually had some difficulty myself the other day with a client's cell. I'm convinced that, over time, the threading begins to stick to the cell. I was able to resolve it with a rubber plumbers wrench, but it took a lot of brute force!

[@getslashedperth5980]

Thanks helpful and u explained what to do with waste water

[@blacktalon1597]

Breeze system NO ACID. Just wood paint stick. Friggin kids.

[@arthursmith8869]

You forgot to mention to delete the music acid and wear gloves eye protection you're dealing with acid

[@willowtreepoolservice764]

Absolutely, forgot to mention that. Please wear the proper hand and eye protection whenever dealing with muriatic acid.

[@BenPeckover]

Acid needs to be diluted 10 to 1

[@WhattheRuck]

Wow. No gloves while handling and pouring the acid? No need to see any more videos.

[@willowtreepoolservice764]

Hey Billy, yep, definitely something I should have worn in hindsight. Good point.

[@afterburner3999]

that looked like 30 to 1

[@willowtreepoolservice764]

After Burner, yeah it does, it's a little hard to see the proportions since the container isn't transparent.

[@jrussell5243]

You should go ahead and say 'go ahead' more. I counted at least two sentences where you didn't go ahead and say it.

[@Jenb0854]

Don’t know about the video but you were cute 😂

[@blacktalon1597]

Never clean Breeze cell with acid, you're wrong on this pal.