Pool equipment questions, answered.

Use pool-grade salt (≥ 99% NaCl, no iodine, no anti-caking agents). Standard food-grade salt works too — most pool owners buy 25 kg bags from us or from a pool shop. Do not use road de-icing salt (it contains silicates that damage the cell), nor table salt with iodine or anti-cake additives.

Jasco Justchlor cells typically last 5–8 years in residential pools, depending on usage, water chemistry and run-time. The cell is the replaceable component — the rest of the unit lasts much longer. We stock replacement cells for Compact Mini, CS-3 and CS-5 units and can fit one in a service call within Cape Town metro.

In most cases, yes. A saltwater chlorinator can be retrofitted to any pool with a working pump, filter and existing plumbing. The unit sits on the return line after the filter and heater. We need to confirm pipe size (typically 50 mm), available power point near the equipment pad, and that the existing pump is sized for the additional head loss (most modern pumps handle it fine).

Very little. A typical residential unit draws 100–200 W — roughly the same as a bright LED light. Most modern chlorinators run only when the pool pump is running, so total added electricity is usually under R 50 per month on a Cape Town residential tariff. Compare that to buying liquid chlorine or shock treatment every few weeks, and the chlorinator pays for itself in 2–3 seasons.

Both. For Cape Town metro, Boland and Overberg we offer on-site supply-and-install with commissioning and a short handover (how to test the salt, when to clean the cell, what the indicator lights mean). For self-installs outside our service area, we ship the unit with full instructions and phone support if you get stuck. Either way the unit carries the Jasco manufacturer warranty.

For most residential pools, yes. Recycled crushed glass filters finer than sand (down to about 5 microns vs 20+ for sand), so the water looks clearer. It also lasts longer — typically 8–10 years before change-over, vs 5–7 for sand — and backwashes use less water, which matters under Cape Town restrictions. The one trade-off is cost: Crystal Sands is roughly double the price of sand per change, but the longer life and lower water use even it out over the life of the media.

A light clean every 6 months (rinse the diaphragm, check hoses, clear debris from the foot pad) keeps a Gemini Twinsweep running well. A full workshop service — replacing diaphragms, bearings, checking the turbine — every 3–4 years depending on use. We run a 2–5 day workshop turnaround and offer courier collection in Cape Town metro.

For chlorinators and small parts we use a courier anywhere in South Africa. For media and bulk salt we generally service the Western Cape only, due to shipping cost on heavy items. For body corporates and large commercial orders outside our service area, talk to us — we can arrange delivery with a partner installer.

All prices quoted are exclusive of VAT (15%, the current South African rate). VAT is added on the invoice and shown separately. Trade and body-corporate accounts can apply for VAT-registered invoicing with weekly or monthly statements.

Aquatain's published field trials show evaporation reductions of 30–40% on residential pools in summer conditions. In Cape Town's hot, dry summers (December–March) with high wind, savings tend toward the upper end of that range. The product is dosed monthly at around 50 ml per 10 000 L and is non-toxic and safe for swimmers immediately after application.