Pros and Cons of Saltwater Pools

These days, many people are looking for an alternative to chlorine for their at-home pools. While chlorine helps keep your pool clean, it can also be harsh on your skin. Saltwater pools are popular, but are they right for your backyard pool? Here are some of the pros and cons of saltwater pools to help you make the best decision for your needs.

How Do Saltwater Pools Work?

One of the biggest misconceptions about saltwater pools is that they are just like swimming in the ocean. Saltwater pools still use chlorine, but in a much different way than a traditional pool. The water is salted directly, and the salt is then pulled into a salt chlorine generator. This generator converts the salt into a form of chlorine that does not contain chloramines or other byproducts that irritate the skin.

Pros of Saltwater Pools

Minimal Skin Irritation

One of the biggest advantages of having a saltwater pool is that it won’t irritate your skin the way that chlorine does. In addition to irritating your skin, chlorine can also dry out your eyes and hair. It feels soft and smooth to swim in, and you are unlikely to experience any irritation or dryness after you get out of the water.

Minimal Odor

Saltwater pools don’t contain the same type of chlorine as a traditional backyard pool. As a result, they don’t have an irritating chlorine smell. You also won’t notice an intense briny or salty smell like you would when swimming in an actual body of saltwater. This creates a much more pleasant swimming experience to everyone.

Easy to Maintain

In general, a saltwater pool is very simple and easy to maintain. With a traditional chlorinated pool, you’ll need to regularly add many different chemicals and test the water to make sure that the levels are safe. This can be a very time-consuming process.

While you will still need to conduct salt level tests in a saltwater pool, you won’t need to do so nearly as often. You also won’t have to worry about regularly adding extra chlorine. The salt is also much safer to handle than chlorine, as it won’t irritate your skin.

Cons of Saltwater Pools

Expensive to Install

The initial installation costs for a saltwater pool are typically much higher than the cost of a traditional chlorine pool. This is mostly due to the high cost of the electrolytic chlorine generator, which can cost roughly $2500. The generator cell also needs to be replaced every few years as well. However, the cost of pool salt is typically more affordable than traditional chlorine.

Can Be Corrosive

Because salt is corrosive, it can have a negative effect on some of the materials in your pool. In particular, the salt can slowly corrode any metals that are present in your pool. Because of this, you’ll need to regularly inspect metal components of your pool and replace them as necessary.

Call Poolworks

Saltwater pools can be a great alternative for those who struggle with chlorine irritation. Poolworks offers pool cleanings, repairs, and other services in Polk County, Florida. Give us a call at
863-967-2863 to learn more about our services or make an appointment.