SALTWATER POOL CONVERSION • West Islip, NY
Saltwater Pool Conversion in West Islip, NY
Empire Pools converts traditional chlorine pools in into saltwater chlorine-generation systems designed around your
pool size, equipment, and how you actually use the pool. We don’t “bolt on a box” and leave — we evaluate your pump, filter, heater,
plumbing layout, and return configuration, then size the cell correctly so it can keep up during hot stretches, heavy swimming days,
and after storms when water chemistry can drift fast. On conversion day we install the control panel in a clean, service-friendly location,
plumb the cell with unions and correct flow orientation, then bring salinity and balance into the ideal operating range so the system
produces chlorine consistently.
In , we’re routinely on the same local routes near , , , , and — so we’re set up for efficient scheduling and clean, organized pad work.
You’ll also get a clear walk-through on output settings, how to test and interpret readings, how to
protect stone/metal finishes, and how to keep chlorine stable without overworking the cell. The goal is simple: softer-feeling water,
fewer chemical runs, and a more automatic routine — without corrosion headaches or guesswork.
What to Expect
Convert the Smart Way for West Islip Conditions
A saltwater pool is still a chlorine pool — the difference is how the chlorine is made. Instead of constantly lugging
buckets and tablets, a salt cell uses a safe salt level in your pool to generate chlorine as water passes through.
Before we convert, we review your pump, filter, heater, plumbing, and pad layout to make sure everything is compatible.
On conversion day we mount the control box in a service-friendly spot, plumb in the cell with unions and proper flow orientation,
and bring your salinity and chemistry into the ideal range. Once the system is running, we dial in output, show you how to care
for the cell, and explain how saltwater affects your openings, closings, and everyday maintenance in West Islip.
What’s Included
- On-site review of pad layout, plumbing, and equipment compatibility for a salt system.
- Discussion of salt system brands, cell sizing, and control options based on pool volume and usage.
- Mounting of salt system control panel in a clean, accessible location at the equipment pad.
- Professional plumbing of the salt cell with unions, proper flow direction, and bypass where appropriate.
- Water testing, adjustment of chemistry, and bringing salinity into the target range for the new system.
- System startup, verification of chlorine production, and review of alarms and indicators.
- Labeling of key valves and controls so you know exactly how water is flowing through the cell.
- Owner walk-through on cell cleaning, output settings, and how salt changes your weekly routine.
- Guidance on how a salt system interacts with heaters, stone, and metals around your pool.
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Note: Saltwater pool conversion packages start at $1500 + tax. Final pricing depends on
equipment model, pad layout, electrical needs, and any additional plumbing changes.
Why Choose Empire Pools
- Deep experience converting West Islip pools to salt while respecting local water, weather, and materials.
- We size the cell for your bather load and season length, not just the number on the box.
- Clean pad work — plumbing and wiring routed so future service is easier, not harder.
- Clear explanation of the truth about saltwater — what changes, what doesn’t, and how to avoid corrosion issues.
- Realistic expectations on how salt will impact your chemical costs and weekly workload.
- Support across the full season — from first start-up to winterizing salt equipment correctly.
- Goal: softer-feeling water and a simpler routine, without surprise problems down the road.
Starting at $1500 + tax
What Saltwater Customers Say
★★★★★
“We converted our West Islip pool to salt and the water feels noticeably smoother. The setup was clean and the instructions were clear.” — K. Martino, West Islip
★★★★★
“They sized the cell right and explained output settings in plain English. No more guessing or tablet runs.” — J. Halpern, West Islip
★★★★★
“After storms our chlorine used to crash. Since converting to salt, it rebounds faster and stays consistent.” — A. Ruggiero, West Islip
★★★★★
“The pad looks 10x better — unions, labeling, everything serviceable. You can tell they do this every day.” — S. Han, West Islip
★★★★★
“We were worried about corrosion with our rails and stone. They walked us through bonding and simple habits to avoid problems.” — M. O’Rourke, West Islip
Saltwater Pool Conversion — FAQs
Do saltwater pools actually use less chlorine, or is that a myth?
A salt system still makes chlorine — it just generates it steadily every day instead of relying on tablets or frequent manual dosing.
Most owners use fewer “emergency” chemicals because chlorine production is more consistent, but you still test and balance pH/alkalinity
and maintain stabilizer (CYA). The big win is stability and convenience, not “zero chemicals.”
How do you decide what size salt cell my West Islip pool needs?
We size the cell using pool volume, expected bather load, sunlight, and how long you typically run the pump.
Oversizing is usually better than undersizing because it lets the cell run at a lower output percentage — that means
less strain, better chlorine consistency in heat waves, and a longer cell lifespan.
Will saltwater mess up my heater, rails, or natural stone?
It’s safe when installed and maintained properly. The most common issues come from poor bonding/grounding, consistently high salinity,
or salty splash-out that dries on metal/stone. We review your pad and materials, verify the install approach, and explain the simple habits
that prevent corrosion (rinse splash zones, keep salinity in range, avoid “cranking” output unnecessarily).
How long does the conversion take, and can we swim the same day?
Many conversions can be done in a single visit, but swim timing depends on chemistry and salinity.
Once the system is installed and water is balanced into the correct operating range, you can typically swim the same day.
If we need additional time to reach target salinity or correct balance, we’ll tell you exactly when it’s swim-ready.
What maintenance does a salt system need after it’s installed?
You’ll still test water regularly, especially pH. The main salt-specific item is the cell inspection/cleaning cadence —
we show you what “normal” looks like, what scaling looks like, and when it’s time to clean. We also explain how to adjust output % and
pump run time as weather and bather load change throughout the season.
