Pros and Cons – Salt Water Pools
What are the Pros and Cons of Saltwater Pools?
Learn about the advantages and disadvantages of having and maintaining a saltwater pool so you can decide whether one is a good choice for your house.
Contrary to popular belief, saltwater pools don’t actually have water that is comparable to ocean water. The amount of salt in the water of a saltwater pool is really around ten times lower than that of the ocean, and it is necessary to maintain this level for the pool to stay clear and clean.
Saltwater pools use an electrolytic chlorine generator, Also known as a salt cell, That converts the salt in the pool into chlorine.Standard chlorine pools depend on routine inputs of chlorine or bromine to keep the water clean. The chlorine that is released into the water when the salt dissolves sanitizes the pool water in a similar manner to store-bought chlorine.
One major difference is that chloramines, a byproduct of store-bought chlorine that largely causes strong chlorine odors, eye redness, and skin irritation, Are not produced in the same quantity by saltwater pool chlorine.
PRO :Your skin and eyes will feel better in a saltwater pool.
A saltwater pool’s electrolytic chlorine generator uses electrolysis to separate the salt into its constituent parts, releasing chlorine into the pool’s water to clean it.By avoiding the use of store-bought chlorine products, Chloramines are less likely to appear in water
This helps in avoiding the unpleasant side effects, As well as the unavoidable chemical odor that are typical of conventional chlorine pools.
PRO :Salt Water pools require less upkeep than chlorinated pools.
A non-saltwater pool’s ongoing chemical maintenance tasks typically include testing the water’s chemical balance, adding store-bought chlorine, shocking the pool as needed, and adding additional chemicals to help balance the pH, calcium hardness, total alkalinity and free chlorine as well as to lessen metals that may be present in the water.
By having a saltwater pool, You don’t have to worry about adding chlorine or using different chemicals to consistently maintain the composition of the pool’s water because the electrolytic chlorine generator simply adds chlorine as needed. Simply add salt at the start of the swimming season and check the levels every two weeks. As needed, add more salt to keep the pool’s chlorine levels stable.
PRO :Owners of saltwater pools don’t need to have hazardous chlorine on hand.
With a chlorine pool, it’s essential to have these chemicals on hand in order to maintain the chemical balance of the pool water. However, keeping concentrated forms of dangerous chemicals in the house, shed, garage, workshop, or even in a small pool box can pose a risk to the people, animals, and plants nearby.
The electrolytic chlorine generator in saltwater pools uses electrolysis to divide salt and produce the necessary amount of chlorine, so customers never have to worry about keeping bottles or buckets of hazardous products like chlorine, muriatic acid, stabilizer, clarifier, algaecide, and more.
Con :For repairs, saltwater pools need qualified professionals.
It is recommended for a chlorinated pool’s filter or pump to be repaired by a qualified technician, but any problems with the water’s chemical balance can usually be resolved by testing the water and adding the required chemicals to achieve the right balance for safe swimming.
Unfortunately, most people lack the knowledge necessary to do repairs on their own when it comes to saltwater pools. If you want to make sure that the electrolytic chlorine generator is operating properly and that the water is safe to swim in, you should only have a qualified technician handle any repairs.
CON: The cost of a saltwater pool is higher than that of a chlorine pool.
Even though swimming in a saltwater pool is beneficial for your skin and eyes, you might not feel as good as the installation costs start to add up.
Installing a salt water system can cost up to $3,000 while establishing a chlorine system for the pool only costs about $100 to $400. You will also have to replace the salt water cell, which costs between $200 and $700, every 3-5 years. You will also need to regularly clean salt cells (every 500 hours or so). A hazardous chemical called muriatic acid is used to clean cells, so getting it done by a professional is highly recommended.
CON: Corrosion
The other significant drawback of saltwater pools is corrosion, which typically takes place outside the pool. When pool water splashes out, the majority of decking can sustain damage because it isn’t saltwater resistant. Although your skin, eyes, and hair will all benefit greatly from the process of converting salt into chlorine, It can harm metal items like ladders, heaters, and more.
Make careful you frequently inspect your saltwater pool to prevent rusting. You can employ our pool service in Mobile for this. Our technicians can handle all repairs and replacements related to your pool.