If you’ve been researching options for maintaining your pool, you must have come across the saltwater pool vs traditional chlorine debate.
While both have their pros and cons, sometimes the benefits of saltwater pools are less well known than traditional pools. Here are some of the reasons that make saltwater pools popular with residential pools!
What is a saltwater pool?
First, what is a saltwater pool? If the name makes you imagine a pool full of seawater, you’re certainly not alone.
However, an in-ground saltwater pool is not the same as bathing in the sea at Isle of Palms; the name actually comes from the equipment that the pool uses to keep the water clean and disinfected. Instead of adding chlorine to the pool to keep the water chlorinated, pour plain table salt directly into the pool, stir it a bit, and the salt chlorine generator turns it into chlorine.
Salt water pools use salt much less than seawater. Indeed, if there is a taste of salt at all, it is mild, almost salty. While the ocean’s salt level is about 35,000 parts per million, saltwater pools typically have 3,000 to 4000 parts of salt.
5 Advantages of a Saltwater Pool
1. Gentle on the body
Salt water pools are milder than traditional chlorine pools. If you’ve ever spent time in a traditionally chlorinated pool, you’ve probably experienced the red, irritated eyes that often accompany the fun. Traditional chlorinated pools also add significant wear and tear to swimwear. Saltwater pools, on the other hand, are gentler on eyes, hair and clothes.
2. Good-bye to strong chlorine smell
You don’t have that chlorine smell. Because the chlorine found in saltwater pools is natural rather than man-made, you won’t have the same harsh chlorine smell.
3. Water feels is softer
Water is softer. Salt can be used as a water softener in indoor showers and has the same effect on a pool. Pool water chlorinated with salt is silkier and leaves skin less dry than traditionally chlorinated pool water.
4. No need to store chlorine
Let’s face it, storing and handling chemicals is harmful. Especially if you have small children or pets at home, storing chlorine can be dangerous. In general, salt water pools do not use chlorine in an artificial form, because the generator converts the salt into chlorine. The exception is if the balance of your pool is significantly out of balance. But for the most part, there is no need to worry about storing and handling chlorine.
5. Cheaper on maintenance
Lower maintenance costs for chemicals. Salt is much cheaper to buy than chlorine. Depending on the size of your pool, a salt system can save you hundreds of dollars a year in chemical costs.