There’s nothing better than taking a dip in the pool to cool off or soothe those aching muscles at the end of the day, especially if that pool is your own. With the introduction of saltwater pools, however, chlorine pools face some competition. Both have their positives and negatives, so it’s only a matter of knowing those differences and choosing which ones best suit your needs, ultimately.
The first thing to realize is that salt pools are chlorine pools. The only real difference is that you add salt to the pool water and a device at the pool equipment to convert that salt to chlorine. All the other chemicals still have to be maintained but now instead of adding chlorine you just adjust the salt machine to make more or less chlorine.
Chlorine Pools
Standard chlorine pools have their benefits. They are simple and reliable. It is recommended that you have an inexpensive chlorine feeder as part of your pool equipment. When this is used correctly the pools chlorine level can be maintained at almost as low a level as a salt pool chlorine level. Maintaining this level does take some practice but it helps avoid faded swimsuits and irritated eyes.
Cost with chlorine pool sanitation tends to be spread out over regular chlorine purchases. There is little that can break down on a chlorine feeder and when it does require repair the repairs are simple and inexpensive.
Saltwater Pools
Saltwater pools are a newer type of pool sanitation that rely on the salt system or salt chlorine generator to make just enough chlorine to keep the water disinfected. When the chlorine is too low you can turn the machine to a higher setting and when it is too high you can turn it to a lower setting. With the lower chlorine levels the water in saltwater pools is much better on the skin and in the eyes. It won’t fade your swimsuits the way high chlorine will and is desirable for long periods of swimming due to less chlorine exposure.
On the other hand, saltwater sanitation systems are expensive to install. Most of the cost will come up front with buying and installing the unit. There will be less spent over time for additional chemical purchases but be prepared for a higher bill when you do have an equipment failure. You also need to be aware that your deck and coping may need to be sealed to keep the salt from damaging it. Depending on the type of material you have around your pool this sealer may need to be applied and reapplied regularly.
Whatever you choose, at least you’ll know that it’ll feel wonderful to dive into for a little while at the end of the day.
