Should You Go Saltwater?

A popular upgrade available for pool owners is a saltwater system. Currently, chlorine is the main chemical added to pool water for sanitation purposes.

However, saltwater provides the same function but has several other advantages over chlorine pools. Here are the pros and cons of each option.

See how much it would cost to transition your pool to saltwater:

Chlorine Pools

Chlorine pools are the most common type of pools you can get. They are simple to operate and the water systems installed filter the water with little or no effort.

Chlorine enters the pool via a pump or in tablet form and is highly convenient.

Pros

Chlorine is a common chemical available in almost any large retailer.

It has been used for years in swimming pools and is proven to work successfully, giving you peace of mind.

It is great at killing bacteria rapidly. Saltwater takes around 5 days to clear water where as chlorine only takes a maximum of 48 hours and often it is even quicker than this.

Chlorine pools are lower in cost to set up than saltwater alternatives, making them more financially appealing at the outset. Their maintenance is simple – if the water sanitation fails or if there is some sort of fault, chlorine levels can be re-balanced to solve the issue.

Cons

Rainwater, back washing or water loss can affect the chlorine levels in the system. This can then cause a sanitation problem, making the pool temporarily unusable.

Frequent measurements need to be taken to ensure the quantities of chlorine are correct. This can add up in costs over a long period of time so may be less economical than alternatives.

While chlorine is an effective chemical, it isn’t too kind on the eyes and can cause irritation. Some studies indicate a potential health risk from long term exposure.

Salt Water Pools

Now for saltwater pools.

These don’t contain saltwater from the sea. The salt added has to create a salt concentration of 3000 parts per million in the pool water.

The way they work is through a salt chlorine generator which creates chlorine from the salt in the pool. It sanitizes the water through electrolysis.

Pros

Saltwater is far kinder on the eyes and skin than chlorine water, so will cause less irritation. In fact, it has a soft water feel and won’t dry out your skin after a swim. This might be especially appealing to people who suffer with dermatological conditions worsened by the harshness of chlorine.

It is naturally occurring and can be less harmful to the environment. Another advantage in terms of running the pool is that you can be more ‘hands off’ with a saltwater system.

It requires minimum maintenance to keep it going, so saves money in the long run. The only time you’d need to seek assistance is during a major problem, but other than that it is self sufficient and effective.

Cons

Financially, a saltwater pool costs more initially. In certain circumstances the price range can be upwards of $5000 more. The upfront cost can be off-putting when directly comparing it to a chlorine pool.

Also, if it does break or a fault is found, the solution is rarely simple and will likely require a technician to attend to it. This differs from chlorine pools where you can add more chlorine to solve the majority of issues.

Unlike chlorine, saltwater takes around five days to effectively clean water so there is a waiting period that some might be deterred by.

There is also the knowledge that saltwater can damage or wear down certain pool accessories that were not specifically designed for saltwater use. This can include lights, heaters, liners and the like.

Chlorine definitely does not do this, so if you opt for saltwater you should simply choose your accessories carefully.

The way you run your pool is also very important. Hygiene and general well-being while swimming are of utmost importance. Chlorine is a popular and common choice, and is proven to be effective.

Saltwater, on the other hand, is a modern alternative that can be kinder on the skin and environment and easier to maintain. For more information on which type of pool is right for you, get in touch with us to arrange a consultation with a Pleasure Pools specialist or stop in at our expansive showroom today!