What’s Driving The Salt Water Pool Trend?

For many people, the characteristic smell of a chlorinated pool takes you back to your childhood summers. Unlike traditional pools, you don’t need to add chlorine directly to a saltwater pool.

How salt water pools compare to other options
Salt water pools have about 1/10th the salinity of seawater. Their increasing popularity is primarily because they’re gentler on the eyes, skin, and hair than chlorinated pools. Plus, they’re easier to maintain.

Indeed, salt water systems have many benefits over chlorine in many respects. But they’re also some downsides.

The Pros

• They generate their own chlorine, which eliminates the need to purchase, store, and handle chlorine.
• There’s no chlorine odour.
• They allow for a steady flow of chlorine, which eliminates the risk of adding excess chlorine.
• They have no drying effects on the swimmer’s body. Excess chlorine is often associated with red, itchy eyes; irritated skin; and dry hair.
• The addition of salt gives the water a smooth and silky feel–like rainwater–that many people prefer compared to the abrasive feel of chlorinated water.
• With the salt cell producing chlorine as the need arises, salt water pool owners tend to enjoy a more ‘hands-free’ approach to maintenance.
• They should keep pools cleaner than when using chlorine.

Cons

• Salt water pools require a higher upfront investment compared to chlorinated pools, but you enjoy great cost savings in the long run.
• Salt water filter systems are associated with higher energy costs because they need to run longer than conventional filter just to generate sufficient chlorine.
• Any sanitation problems due to reduced chlorine production need to be addressed by an experienced technician who’s familiar with the system. With traditional pools, such problems can be addressed by simply adding more chlorine.
• Salt water filter systems are known to damage pool accessories, including pipes, underwater lighting, heaters, fixtures, liners, and even masonry work. The effects should be taken into consideration during construction by using plastic pipes instead of copper pipes that may corrode.
• Salt water pools also require chlorine testing on a regular basis.
• The resulting waste water limits the kind of flora that thrives around the pool.

Verdict
Considering the increased popularity of salt water pools, it’s clear that contractors and enthusiasts have found ways to reduce the limitations to make the system more accessible to commercial establishments and residences.