Whether you’re considering installing a new pool or converting your chlorine pool to a saltwater system, it’s important to understand what owning a saline pool entails. From sanitization and swimming comfort to ongoing maintenance requirements and setup costs, several factors should be considered before you opt for saltwater over chlorine.
Royal Pool & Spa experts explain the pros and cons of installing a saltwater pool system below.
Advantages of Salt Water Pool System Installation
Though chlorine pools are historically a more popular option, saltwater pool systems have recently surged in popularity because they offer homeowners and commercial property owners a few distinct advantages.
Easier Maintenance
Maintaining a saltwater pool is considerably less involved than maintaining a chlorine pool. Because a salt system is designed to convert salt into chlorine to sanitize the water naturally, you don’t need to constantly test, measure, and add chlorine to your pool.
Though you still need to test and add other pool chemicals on a routine basis, a saltwater system is far more efficient at maintaining sanitized, safe swimming water. Remember that saltwater pools contain chlorine; the concentration is lower than that in a standard, chlorinated pool. And if skimming, vacuuming, and filter changes aren’t at the top of your list, consider investing in regularly scheduled maintenance for less work and more pool relaxation time!
More Enjoyable Swimming Experience
Because saltwater pools contain a lower concentration of chlorine, many people find they offer a more comfortable swimming experience. Though the water contains salt, it’s not as salty as you might imagine, and that salt makes the water softer feeling than the water in a chlorinated pool.
Because the saline content more closely mimics human tears, swimmers tend to experience less skin, eye, and respiratory irritation.
Low Chemical Costs
Since salt does not evaporate like chlorine, the cost of chemicals to maintain a saline pool is much more affordable. Adding salt a few times during pool season is far cheaper than repeatedly adding chemicals throughout the summer.
Enjoy Potential Health Benefits
There are several potential health benefits of swimming in saltwater pools. These pools may help enhance swimmers’ immune systems, and because human skin can absorb small amounts of salt from the water, they may help with depression, too.
Research suggests that people with higher sodium levels may exhibit fewer signs of depression than people with normal sodium levels. The thought is that the same health benefits can transfer to people regularly submerged in water with a high salt concentration.
Additionally, salt water is antimicrobial, so it effectively kills bacteria that could make you ill. When you enter the water, your body loses and gains water through the skin in a process called osmosis.
The salt in the water can help draw impurities from the skin and may provide a natural form of detox with regular exposure.
Gently Exfoliate Your Skin
Did you know salt is an excellent and gentle natural exfoliant? It’s true, and even if you have extra sensitive skin (like eczema or psoriasis), salt water can help keep it soft and smooth. Because salt is a natural skin detoxifier, it can also help prevent clogged pores as it helps slough off dry, dead skin.
Don’t let the idea of skin cells in your pool water turn you off to the idea of converting to a saltwater pool. Those cells naturally slough off in a chlorine pool, too, but that type of pool is a whole lot harsher.
Plus, chlorine pools still have filters designed to filter out and trap particles that shouldn’t be floating around in the water.
Less Wear and Tear on Your Bathing Suit
Saltwater is also gentler on your bathing suits. Chlorine can cause your bathing suit to fade or shorten its lifespan. Bathing suits can be pricey, so you want yours to last as long as it can, and a saltwater pool system helps.
Eliminate the Oh-So-Pleasant “Pool Smell”
If you’re not a fan of the strong chlorine smell generated by traditional chlorine pools, converting to a saltwater pool can help you eliminate that stench. The smell isn’t a product of the chlorine itself but rather the chloramines generated by chlorine’s natural reaction with organic particles left behind by swimmers (urine, sweat, etc.).
Since saltwater pools generate less chlorine than is used to sanitize a traditional chlorine pool, they’re far less likely to develop that distinctive, off-putting pool stench.
Drawbacks of Salt Water Pool System Installation
Though saline pools come with distinct benefits, they also have a few disadvantages. Before you opt for saltwater pool system installation, consider the following potential drawbacks:
Initial Setup Costs
The initial cost of installing a saltwater pool is higher than that of installing a chlorine pool, but most homeowners find the expense manageable. If you’re converting an existing chlorine pool to a saline system, there may also be compatibility differences between the systems, necessitating the installation of parts.
Your pool renovation technician can give you a cost estimate so you know what to expect before installing the system.
Higher Repair Costs
Because saltwater pools are more complex than their chlorinated counterparts, pool repairs almost always require the expertise of a trained professional.
Specific Equipment Is Required
Because saltwater pools (obviously) contain salt, they’re subject to more corrosion than chlorinated pools. As such, you may need to avoid using specific materials and parts that may be more vulnerable to salt-related deterioration.
Considering a Salt Water Pool? Contact Royal Pool & Spa
If you’re considering installing a saltwater pool on your property, contact our team at Royal Pool & Spa so we can advise you on the best options for your unique needs. We specialize in various pool renovation, repair, and maintenance services for homeowners and commercial property owners and have proudly served the Twin Cities area since 1988.
Request a quote here, or contact our White Bear Lake, Minnesota office today at 651-779-7606!