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A cracked or burst salt chlorinator cell housing is a problem that shocks many pool owners. The chlorinator appears to be running normally, but suddenly you hear a loud “pop,” followed by water leaking from the system. Many people assume the unit is low quality, but in most cases, the real cause is not the machine itself — it is when the salt chlorinator continues operating without actual water flow through the cell.
Even when water is not flowing, salt water may still remain trapped inside the cell housing. If the chlorinator keeps producing chlorine from this trapped water, chlorine quickly turns into chlorine gas. The gas pressure builds up rapidly inside the housing, which can eventually crack or explode the clear plastic outer chamber.
The most common situations include: (1) closing the inlet and outlet valves during pool vacuuming to prevent sediment from entering the cell, then forgetting to reopen them; and (2) running filter backwash in AUTO mode where the pump and chlorinator operate together, but the water flows directly to the waste line instead of passing through the cell. This issue is especially common in models that use electrode-type water sensing, which can be inaccurate when water is trapped but not flowing.
The best solution is choosing a salt chlorinator with a real Flow Switch, such as the Laswim SR Series. A Flow Switch instantly stops operation when there is no real water flow, significantly reducing the risk of cracking, leakage, and costly repairs while extending the equipment lifespan.
Why You Should Never Use Exposed Aggregate (Washed Sand Finish) Inside a Swimming Pool
Using exposed aggregate or washed sand finish inside the pool is strongly discouraged because chlorine and pool chemicals gradually erode the surface, causing sand particles to loosen and detach. These particles are then carried by the water flow into the filtration system, where they often get stuck in the pump impeller, leading to wear, reduced performance, and costly pump damage.
Additionally, exposed aggregate surfaces retain algae, are difficult to clean, and the rough texture may cause scratches or abrasions to swimmers. As the surface deteriorates, loose particles make the pool water cloudy and increase the frequency of maintenance, driving up long-term operating costs.
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