The Benefits of Saltwater Pools: How They Work & Why They're Worth It

Your home's backyard is your retreat from the world, where you can unwind and enjoy the outdoors free from intrusions. On warm days, a backyard pool allows you to relax, exercise, and socialize with family and friends. Even when you aren't swimming, you want to see sparkling clear water in your pool, waiting for you to jump in and partake of all your swimming pool offers. 

Small upgrades around the pool can also shape how easy and enjoyable each swim feels, especially when essentials are within reach, and the space is set up for comfort and safety. If pool days in Carmel mean hosting friends or keeping family routines smooth, choosing the right add-ons can help, from storage and entry support to lighting and lounge features. A helpful starting point is accessories for Swimming Carmel, IN, which covers practical options that fit different backyard setups.

When maintaining your pool's water quality, chlorine plays a crucial role. Traditionally, pool maintenance involved frequently adding chlorine and shock. However, there is another option, one that offers unparalleled benefits. With the right equipment, such as chlorine generators, the advantages of a saltwater pool become evident. Saltwater keeps your pool's water beautifully clean and sanitary. Another benefit of saltwater pool systems is that they are easy to use and maintain, freeing you from the constant maintenance needs of a traditional chlorine pool and giving you more time to enjoy pool-time fun in the sun.   

An Introduction to Saltwater Pools and their Benefits

The first question someone unfamiliar with saltwater pools often asks is, What about chlorine? This is a good question because one of the benefits of a saltwater pool is that you use a low salt level instead of chlorine. That salt makes chlorine. How? The answer is simple science.  

Saltwater pools can achieve this by using a chlorine generator instead of the manual addition of chlorine. The chlorine generator uses electrolysis, a process by which the dissolved sodium chloride (salt) splits into its two elements: sodium and chlorine. As with a traditional chlorine pool, the water circulation system moves the chlorine throughout the water to keep the pool clean.

In both cases, your pool is kept clean with chlorine. The difference is how chlorine gets into the water. Traditional chlorine pools rely on the manual addition of chlorine to the water; saltwater pools rely on the automatic chlorine generation from salt in the water. One of the most incredible benefits of a saltwater pool is that it is as clean and sanitary as a traditional chlorine pool without all the hassle of those harsh chemicals. 

Another frequent question is, Does a saltwater pool taste like the ocean? No. Ocean water's salt levels are around 35,000 parts per million, a very high salt concentration. Saltwater pools have salt levels of about 3,000-4,000 parts per million or less. The salt content is lower than in a teardrop (9000 ppm). The taste of salt in a saltwater pool is almost unnoticeable. 

The Benefits of Saltwater Pools

Swimmers notice differences between saltwater and traditional chlorine pools. Chlorinated water is known for being hard on skin and hair. One benefit of saltwater pools is the elimination of the harsh chemical byproducts ("chloramines") that usually cause a pool's nasty effects. In many cases, saltwater pools have a lower chlorine concentration than a traditional chlorine pool. The result is gentler pool water and less likely to dry out your skin and hair. Saltwater pools also mean reduced eye irritation. The swimming experience is more comfortable and enjoyable, and swimmers don't feel as dry and irritated afterward. 

Another benefit of saltwater pool water is that it feels better on your skin. Many homes employ water-softening systems that use salt to reduce the concentration of certain minerals that can damage your home's plumbing, skin, and hair. Similarly, saltwater pool systems generate softer-feeling water to make your swimming experience smoother and softer. 

Chlorine is a bleaching agent; items worn and used in and around the pool often suffer from its effect. Another benefit of saltwater pools that many folks don't consider is that your bathing suits and pool toys will stay brighter and last longer. 

One more benefit of saltwater pools is the elimination of the toxic chlorine smell many people associate with a clean swimming pool. The smell is unpleasant and not a sign of a clean pool. That smell isn't chlorine. It's chloramines. Saltwater chlorination lessens the buildup of chloramines, keeping the smell often associated with chlorine at bay. 

Saltwater Pool Care Tips

Another advantage of saltwater pools is the ease of saltwater pool maintenance. Understanding and learning the system takes little time and effort. Afterward, your pool may seem virtually maintenance-free compared to a traditional chlorine pool (though it still needs some attention).

The basic saltwater pool maintenance and care tips are the same as those for a traditional chlorine pool. The core components of any pool system are the filter, pump, and skimmer. These need to be well-maintained for your saltwater pool to work efficiently. Keep your pool clean by skimming and vacuuming it as required. This should be done at least once weekly, but some situations require more frequent cleaning. 

Since salt is the source of your chlorine, maintaining the salt level is a top priority. Pool salt can be purchased in bags at your local swim shop and often at your local hardware store. The salt is dumped into the pool water, where it dissolves, and the chlorine generator turns it into chlorine. Follow your manufacturer's suggestion for the appropriate salt level for your system.  

Since salt does not evaporate or get used up by the chlorine generator, you will not need to add salt to your pool frequently. Salt is lost through swimmers' splashing water, the filter backwashing process, or the purposeful draining of water. In most cases, salt may only need to be added annually at the beginning of the swimming season and possibly again after a period of high use or high rainfall. This is much easier than a traditional chlorine pool's constant addition of chlorine.

Once a week, use test strips to check the free chlorine and PH. After you've tested your pool, you will know if you need to adjust your system. Once a month, use test strips to check your pool's salinity, alkalinity, stabilizer, and calcium. If any of these are out of range or you want to manage other possible issues, products are available to keep the water clear and swimmers happy. 

All of these tests are similar to the monitoring any pool requires. Saltwater pools require something different every few months: checking the salt cell for buildup or debris. If the salt cell is clean, it can be reinstalled. If you see mineral buildup or residue, spray the salt cell with high-pressure water. If this does not clean the salt cell, soak the cell in a 4:1 mixture of water and muriatic acid. Soak the cell for approximately 15-20 minutes, then hose it off. If the salt cell still is not clean, repeat the process until it is. Then, reinstall it and resume usage of the system.

What is the Average Cost of a Saltwater Pool?

Pools can be installed with a saltwater system from the start. Most other previously installed pools can be retrofitted for the saltwater system with what is referred to as a saltwater pool start-up kit. The highest initial cost of a saltwater pool start-up kit is for the chlorine generator. Typically, these cost around $500-$2000. Please don't get turned off by the price, however, because another benefit of saltwater pools is their reduced operating costs for the long haul. 

After installing the chlorine generator, the next purchase is salt to get the system up and running. Your initial purchase of salt will be much more than you will need to purchase in the future. The amount of salt varies depending on the size of your pool. Add approximately 30 pounds of salt for every 1000 gallons of pool water. Fortunately, salt is inexpensive. A 40-pound bag of salt can cost less than $10. For those that desire it, higher purity salt costs about $20 for a 40-pound bag  

You can expect to pay $100 or less each year to maintain the chemicals for a saltwater pool. This includes the purchase of salt and any additional chemicals needed to maintain proper levels. In contrast, chlorine pools frequently cost as much as $100 a month in chemicals, and sometimes even more! No one can argue with those savings as a key benefit of saltwater pools compared to traditional chlorine pools.

The majority of new pools are installed with saltwater systems. As people become familiar with the myriad benefits of saltwater pools, more people are interested in converting their traditional chlorine pool into a saltwater pool. The benefits of saltwater pools are as clear as a swimming pool on a warm summer day. The allure of silky water that's kinder to skin, hair, and eyes is enticing and can be yours! Jump in for a splash, and check out all the benefits of the saltwater system yourself.

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