Help! I Cannot Get the Salt Level Right in My Pool

Test the salt level in your pool with a saltwater testing kit, which will indicate how low the levels are and inform you of how much salt is needed. Most pools require salt levels of 2,500 to 4,000 parts per million (ppm). Testing with a kit is essential, as sometimes scales can form on the cells of your pool's salt indicator and yield a false reading. If your testing kit states the salt levels are adequate, they likely are.

Add more salt to the pool if the testing kit says the levels are too low. The amount to add depends on the size of your pool. Your goal is to reach about 4,000 ppm. If you have a 2,000-gallon pool that is totally without salt, you need to add 50 lbs. of salt to reach that level, according to the website Pool Center.

Pour food-grade salt, solar salt flakes, brine blocks, water conditioner salt or water softener pellets over the drain in the pool. Avoid using rock salt, as it typically contains additives. Pouring the salt over the drain while the filter is running will help to distribute the salt throughout the pool. Use a broom to sweep any salt that makes its way into the floor of the drain. Allow the pool to run for 24 hours.

Test the saltwater level in the water after 24 hours. If the level is too low, add more salt. If the level is too high, drain some of the pool water, add fresh water, then retest.