Having a swimming pool is a privilege, but maintaining it can become a headache if you don’t choose the right disinfection system for your pool in Mallorca. If you’re reading this, you’re probably asking yourself the million-dollar question: salt chlorination or chlorine?
At JMCifre, with years of experience maintaining and building swimming pools on the islands, we have seen how trends have changed dramatically. But is salt chlorination really worth the investment?
In this guide, we’ll answer your questions with our usual honesty, looking at everything from the technical aspects to the specific challenges posed by the water in our area.
Which is better: a salt-water or a chlorinated swimming pool?
If you’re looking for health, long-term savings and sustainability, salt chlorination is the clear winner.
If you’re looking for the lowest possible initial investment for a holiday home used only very occasionally, chemical chlorine remains the quickest option. However, given Mallorca’s climate and water hardness, salt offers advantages that manual chlorine cannot match.
How does salt chlorination actually work?
We often hear the term ‘saltwater pool’ and think of seawater. Nothing could be further from the truth.
The way a salt chlorinator works is a fascinating cyclical process known as electrolysis:
We add salt to the water: a minimal amount is added (around $4–5 kg$ per cubic metre), making the water six times less salty than seawater (similar to a human tear).
The magic of the cell: Water passes through a titanium cell fitted to your filtration system. A small electric current causes the salt ($NaCl$) to break down, producing natural chlorine (sodium hypochlorite).
Pure disinfection: This chlorine destroys bacteria and algae much more effectively than chlorine tablets, because it is constantly produced whilst the pump is running.
The cycle is complete: once the chlorine has done its job, it turns back into salt. You don’t need to buy bottles of chlorine every week.
Common problems with salt chlorination: The reality in Mallorca
At JMCifre, we prefer to tell you about the real challenges we face on the islands, so that your equipment will last for years:
1. Lime and water from Mallorca
The water in the Balearic Islands is extremely hard. Unless you choose a salt chlorinator with polarity reversal (self-cleaning), limescale will build up on the electrodes and the unit will stop producing chlorine within a few months. In our maintenance work, we always prioritise equipment designed for high-hardness water.
2. pH control
This is the big ‘but’. When chlorine is produced by electrolysis, the pH tends to rise more quickly. The problem is that if the pH is high, the chlorine does not disinfect and the water becomes cloudy.
Solution: That’s why, at JMCifre, we always recommend installing a salt chlorination system alongside an automatic pH regulator. Without it, you’ll be stuck having to test the water manually every day.
3. Corrosion
Salt conducts electricity. If your swimming pool does not have a dedicated earth connection for the water (earth terminal) or if the metal components (ladders, spotlights) are not made of high-quality stainless steel (AISI-316), you may notice signs of rust.
Are you thinking of installing a salt-based chlorination system?
Don’t take any chances with off-the-shelf systems. As part of our salt chlorination service for swimming pools in Mallorca, we carry out a technical assessment to ensure that the equipment is suitable for your pool’s volume and the condition of your pipework.