If you are a pool owner or looking into getting a pool, chances are you have heard about saltwater pools. They have grown in popularity in recent years and seem to be all the rage with new pool owners, so let’s take a closer look at saltwater pools to see what it is all about. You are likely thinking of saltwater like the ocean. The ocean is so highly salinated with specific types of salts that it can even be tasted in the water. But a saltwater pool is not like that. It is saltwater, but not that kind of saltwater. So now that we have these basics out of the way, let’s dive in (bad pun intentional).
What Exactly Is a Salt Water Pool?
In short, a saltwater pool uses a different means of chlorine sanitation than a traditional pool. With a traditional pool, you manually add chlorine to an automatic feeder or put it directly into the water. However, with a saltwater pool, the system generates chlorine salts that are then used as the means of sanitizing your pool. A saltwater pool is still very much chlorinated to keep the water clean and safe, it is just done via a very different process.
How Does a Chlorine Salt Generator Work?
As we noted above, in a saltwater pool, chlorine salt is generated, rather than being poured into a tank or manually. It is also a different form of chlorine, but it has the same function. The saltwater generator works by creating an electrical reaction between the electrode in the generator and a special type of salt cell. The result is the creation of chlorine salts. These chlorine salts are then circulated through your pool system, sanitizing the water in much the same way as traditional liquid chlorine.
Are Salt water Pools Better?
While the system is cool and all, are there any benefits of a saltwater pool that make it worth what is a significantly higher investment? Well, it depends. It is important to note that these systems are a lot more expensive than a traditional automatic feeding system that uses liquid chlorine. Whether or not a saltwater pool is better than a traditional pool is a matter of opinion and preference.
What Are The Benefits of Having A Salt Water Pool?
A saltwater system doesn’t require you to handle a ton of harsh chemicals since it generates the chlorine right there in the system itself. This is a huge benefit for people who don’t want to constantly have to buy and handle harsh chemicals. This type of system is also safer. There are less icky chemicals that children and others may swallow in the course of swimming. These pools tend to require less maintenance than a traditional pool system.
A lot of people also swear by the relative softness of the water when compared to traditionally-chlorinated water. Most people prefer the feeling of a saltwater pool as it is less harsh on the skin. People with saltwater pools have far fewer complaints about dry hair and skin or other irritations. Another perk of a saltwater system is that the chlorine salts do not have the same bleaching properties that liquid chlorine has, meaning your clothes, towels, pool toys, etc., will not bleach like they can with traditional chlorine pools.
Pros
- Over the long term, salt water systems can potentially be safer than chlorine pools, since chlorine pools require owners to keep and routinely use unsafe chemicals. There are also some studies that indicate swimming pools with high levels of chlorination may pose health risks long-term.
- Lower levels of chlorine mine that the water is more gentle on skin and eyes of swimmers
- The water in salt water pools has a much softer feel to the skin, which many people prefer when swimming.
- Salt cells in a salt water pool system produce chlorine only as it is needed, meaning the pools generally require less maintenance than a typical chlorinated pool.
The Downsides of Salt Water Pools
The biggest downside of having a saltwater pool is the initial expense. The initial cost of installing a saltwater generator and system is much higher than even an automatic chemical feeder system. While they are effective and reliable, if they do break down, they are more expensive to repair than a traditional system. Having this type of system can also really limit the type of pump, heater, and other components that you can use, as they have to be saltwater safe. Salt cells have to be replaced occasionally as they wear out and these are more expensive than liquid chlorine.
Additionally, saltwater is more likely to corrode metal pool equipment than traditionally-chlorinated water. It is harder to manage pH levels in a saltwater pool. This can cause some saltwater pool owners to experience issues with too high pH. It can also lead to problems with calcium buildup.
Cons
- Salt water pools are more expensive than a traditional pools and require a greater initial investment
- A salt water pool system is more complex than a traditional chlorine system
- Salt water pools are generally more expensive to fix when they break
- Saltwater can corrode and damage pool equipment meaning you will need lighting, liners, heaters, masonry, and fixtures specifically designed for use with salt water pools.
The Verdict
It is pretty much impossible to say whether a saltwater pool is better than a traditional pool. Both types have their advantages and disadvantages and what will work best for you depends on your preferences, expectations, budget, and so on. A saltwater pool is more expensive at the outset and to repair, but it often requires less maintenance and chemical management than a traditional pool. The water is less harsh, so it is gentler on the skin and doesn’t bleach clothes or pool toys, but it often has a much higher pH, which will lead to calcium buildup that can cause problems with water quality and accumulation on pool components.
Though these systems often require less maintenance, it doesn’t mean that there is no upkeep. You still need to do regular water tests, empty skimmer baskets, vacuum every few weeks, and use a skimmer net to remove any debris from the surface of the pool. The system still requires proper filtration and circulation to do its job. A saltwater pool may require occasional recalibration of the salt cell to keep up with the chemical needs of your pool depending on the amount of rain and sunlight you have been receiving.
This is a novel and unique pool system that a lot of people swear by. It is possible to convert your traditional pool to a saltwater pool if you wish, though it is a bit of a process. Many people who have saltwater pools swear by their ease of use, fewer maintenance requirements, and the softness of the water. They have dramatically grown in popularity in recent years, leading to an increase in interest in this type of pool.