Most salt cells fail because they're cleaned wrong, not because they're worn out.
Seasonal pool care in North Texas is its own science. The advice below is calibrated to DFW pollen counts, freeze risk, hardness levels, and heat. Generic national pool advice gets you most of the way; the local nuance closes the rest.
The right protocol
- Test with vinegar first — many cells just need a vinegar soak
- If scale persists, mix 1 part muriatic acid to 4 parts water (NEVER reverse)
- Dwell 10 minutes max, then rinse thoroughly
- Inspect plates for spalling
- Dry-store between uses; never freeze damp
If you see milky calcium scale, fix the water chemistry that caused it before the new cell is ever installed.