Benefits of a Saltwater Pool

Everyone seems to be putting in a saltwater pool these days. Why? You may be thinking these pools are filled with ocean water due to their salinity content, but that’s not the case at all.

So what makes a saltwater pool a preferable option over a traditional chlorinated pool? Consider the following reasons why more customers are choosing to swim in a saltwater pool on a hot summer day.

What Makes it a Saltwater Pool?

It’s a question we get often. Some of our customers are curious as to what constitutes a saltwater pool and skeptical about its advantages. Why not take a swim in the Pacific Ocean instead? The reality here is that, yes, in-ground saltwater pools do contain some level of salt in the water. But it’s not nearly as much as you would find in the Pacific and you’ll barely notice it’s there.

So what is the purpose of the salt? Simple: to sanitize and clean the water much in the same way chlorine would in a traditional backyard swimming pool.

You are actually pouring standard table salt into the pool water. Imagine that for a second. Seems odd but it works wonders for cleaning the water because this type of pool comes equipped with a salt chlorine generator. The salt you introduce into the water is being converted into chlorine through that equipment. The result is safe, clean pool water sanitized just as effectively as with chlorine chemicals and you won’t detect much, if any, saline effects when you dive in.

Why Choose a Saltwater Pool?

Customers who decide to install a saltwater pool instead of a traditional chlorine pool will point to the following benefits as to the reasons behind their decision.

No Chlorine

Anyone who has owned or spent any time inside of a backyard in-ground pool has likely experienced some type of effect from the chlorine used to keep the water clean and safe.

Chlorine is a tried and true solution to thoroughly sanitizing pool water but it can also have an irritating effect on the eyes and skin. Some people can be sensitive to the effects of chlorine, stepping out of the pool with red eyes, dry skin, and in some extreme cases, lightly bleached hair. Chlorine can also have a damaging effect on swimsuits as the chemicals have been known to break down the fibers of the material with repeated, routine exposure. The smell of chlorine can be off-putting to some, remaining on the hair and skin until a hot shower washes it all away.

Saltwater pools don’t rely on traditional chlorine additives to clean the water, so you won’t feel the negative effects of the chlorine during or after time spent in the pool.

So what’s the difference? If chlorine is essential to cleaning the water, how does a salt-chlorinated pool offer these advantages over a traditional chlorinated pool? It’s all in how the chlorine is introduced into the water.

A traditional chlorinated pool uses manufactured chlorine chemicals to clean the water while a salt-chlorinated pool turns salt into chlorine through natural methods. That means the chlorine is a lot less harsh or caustic but no less effective at sanitizing your pool water.

It also means you won’t need to keep chlorine in your garage, pool house, or any other storage compartment or container near your home. Avoid keeping strong chemicals in the vicinity of your family members and pets by relying on a saltwater conversion system for your pool.

Softer Water

Water softening systems for homes and businesses employ salt as a main component. The same result can be found in pool water filtration equipment. Compared to traditional chlorine, saltwater pool water feels softer and gentler on the skin. Dry and flaky skin is a thing of the past when you swim in salt-chlorinated pool water.

How can that be? Doesn’t salt dry out the skin too? It can do that with intense overexposure to salinity levels found in the ocean. Your skin may feel dry and irritated after a few days on the beach. The sun, the sand, the salty ocean water, all of these can have a drying effect. But salinity levels in saltwater pools are but a small fraction of the levels found in ocean water. You might detect a slightly salty taste if you swim in it, but you won’t suffer the same dry irritation associated with chlorine or ocean water.

Less Expensive Maintenance

We all love to save money. Putting in a saltwater pool can be a lot easier on your wallet in the long run. Purchasing supplies of chlorine over and over again through the life of the pool can add up to a lot of money spent on maintenance. Add to that other costs for additional chemicals necessary for keeping your water properly balanced and sanitized.

You won’t need to spend that extra money with a saltwater pool. Typical pool salt is less expensive than all of the normal chemicals needed for pool maintenance. There is a higher upfront cost for installing the salt filtration system to convert the salt into natural chlorine. But that expense will still have you spending less on your pool over the long term.