A salt water pool is a less harsh option than a chlorine pool. Before you choose one over the other, make sure you understand the details.
Everyone has a different swimming style. You have a wide range of options for your backyard pool. A zero-depth entry is available for leisurely wading, while a deep end is available for excited cannonballs. A rectangle is good for swimming laps, whereas an oval is good for social gatherings. You can select a water sanitization method that meets your demands in addition to size, shape, activities, and accessories.
In addition, saltwater pools are usually the cleaner of the two. It’s also possible that a salt water pool is safer than a chlorine pool. That’s because you don’t have to store as many dangerous chemicals in a salt water pool as you would in a chlorine pool.
The following are the distinctions between two of the most prevalent pool types: saltwater and chlorine.
The Difference
Traditional chlorine pools require the water to be sampled and balanced with liquid or tablet chlorine. Alkalinity, pH, and calcium hardness all need to be adjusted. Saltwater pools require the same chemicals as freshwater pools, with the exception of chlorine, though you may need to shock a saltwater pool every now and then.
Saltwater pools generate their own chlorine through electrolysis rather than relying on store-bought chlorine. To a chlorine generator, you add pool salt. The generator then converts salty water to chlorine by passing it through two electrically charged plates. Although the pool water is still cleansed with chlorine, the method is not the same as in a regular chlorine pool.
Despite the fact that each type of pool is cleansed with the same chemical, the chlorine in a saltwater pool may differ from what you’re used to. According to the In the Swim, saltwater chlorine generation According to In the Swim, saltwater chlorine generation produces fewer chloramines, which are the true cause of the odour and feel of typical chlorine pools.
Chloramines are “a sort of combined chlorine that forms in water” and emits gas into the surrounding air, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). They produce the well-known chlorine odour, as well as redness in the eyes and, in some cases, respiratory discomfort.
Saltwater Pools vs. Chlorine Pools: What Are the Benefits?
Let’s look at the advantages and disadvantages of each type of pool water.
Saltwater Pool
Day-to-day operations are less expensive. A full summer supply of salt is estimated to cost between $20 and $30 at Home Depot. The cost of chlorine for a summer is between $150 and $180.
The lower chlorine concentration is friendlier on skin, eyes, swimwear, hair, and other surfaces.
The scent of typical chlorine pools is disliked by many individuals. The smell of saltwater pools isn’t as strong as that of chemical-laden pools.
Chlorine Pools
If you currently have a chlorinated pool, it can be more cost-effective to keep it that way. Depending on the size of the pool, converting to saltwater can cost anywhere from $1000 to $5,000.
Some folks find the fragrance appealing.
Even on hot summer days, they continue to labour.
Disadvantages of Each System
Both of these pool styles have drawbacks.
Saltwater pools
The salt has the potential to hasten pool degradation.
Salt chlorine generators should be inspected and cleaned on a regular basis. The generator is yet another mechanical component that could break or need to be replaced, especially if you’re planning to sell your home.
In the Water colder than 60 degrees, it will not create chlorine.
Chlorine pools
Dry skin, Irritated red eyes, bleached swimwear, and irritated nostrils, throats, and lungs are all possible side effects.
You’ll need to stock up on chlorine supplies, which are more expensive than pool salt.
Chloramines can give off a distinct “chlorine” odour, especially if your pool is indoors.
Neither saltwater generation nor classic chlorine are theoretically superior, as both techniques of sanitization are successful. People with sensitive skin, allergies, or asthma, on the other hand, generally prefer saltwater and natural pools.
Saltwater pools do contain chlorine, but the level is far smaller than in a typical chlorine pool.
Changing from a chlorinated pool to a saltwater pool has a number of advantages. They include staying away from the itching, redness, and harmful odours that come with chlorine. The number of chemicals you’ll need to buy and introduce to the pool will be considerably reduced with the new pool.