What are the differences between saltwater and regular swimming pools?
If you’re in the market for a new swimming pool, you may be considering a saltwater pool. We certainly wouldn’t blame you. These pools have tons of benefits (which we’ll get to in a moment) and have become increasingly popular.
Many customers ask us, “How do saltwater pools work?” Quite simply, saltwater pool systems consist of a salt cell (generator) that breaks down sodium chloride (salt) through electrolysis to produce chlorine. Although these systems use chlorine just like a traditional pool, they contain much less. Also, it should be noted that the salt content of a saltwater pool is approximately 10% of what’s in the ocean.
Benefits of a Saltwater Pool
You may wonder why saltwater pools have become popular in the past few decades. Even now, many homeowners don’t even know that the option exists. Some of it is based on personal preference, but here are the major benefits of installing a saltwater pool:
- Gentler on Skin & Eyes — If you’ve ever swum in a traditional chlorine pool for any length of time, there’s no doubt that you’ve experienced irritation to your skin and eyes. If this is especially bothersome, then you’ll love much gentler saltwater pools.
- No Harsh Chlorine Smell — Even if you succeed at properly balancing a traditional pool’s water chemistry, it’ll likely smell like chlorine. Although saltwater pools do use chlorine, the amount is much less significant, which means no harsh odor.
- Pool Water Is Softer — Some homeowners don’t experience skin irritation when swimming in a traditional pool, but will still notice some dry skin after getting out. The water in a saltwater pool is a lot softer, which will leave your skin feeling silkier and less dried out.
- No need to store chlorine – Storing large amounts of it can be troublesome, especially if you have pets or small children in the house. They might get into it. Saltwater pools produce their own chlorine so you won’t have to store any in a shed or garage.
- Costs Less to Maintain — A big reason why many homeowners choose to install a saltwater pool is that it’s cheaper to maintain. This is primarily due to the fact that salt costs much less than chlorine.
“How do Saltwater Pools Work?” Routine Saltwater Pool Cleaning
Dirt, debris, insects, and other contaminants will enter your saltwater pool daily whether it’s from people taking a dip or wind-blowing debris into the water. If you want the water to stay as healthy as possible, then you must make routine cleaning a part of your saltwater pool maintenance plans.
Here are some of the things that we’d recommend:
- Use a Skimmer — No one should own a pool without having a skimmer. Each time you go out to the pool, grab the skimmer and use it to remove leaves, branches, bugs, and anything else that’s fallen into the water.
- Robotic Cleaner — Instead of being forced to clean every inch of the pool yourself, pick up a robotic cleaner that works like a Roomba for your pool. Some of them can be quite pricey, but given how little work you’ll need to do after you stick one in the pool, they’re more than worth the cost.
- Check the Pump — Your pool’s pump and skimmer baskets can quickly fill with leaves, insects, and other debris. This may plug up your system, causing it to operate less efficiently, so be sure to clean it out regularly.
- Clean Salt Cell — You only need to clean your salt cell a few times a year, depending on your water’s chemical balance. Be sure to hang on to the salt cell’s user manual and follow the instructions to properly clean it.
Hiring a Professional Pool Cleaner
Some homeowners tend to let their pools get very dirty before they decide to do anything about them. This isn’t a dig on homeowners at all. Many of us are very busy and may not have time to clean our pool as much as it’s needed. If this sounds like you, then you should hire a professional swimming pool cleaning company to do everything for you.
Contact Larsen’s Pool & Spa to Install a Saltwater Pool
Larsen’s Pool & Spa has proven itself as the best custom pool builder in Tampa Bay and the nearby communities. If you have any questions, like “How do saltwater pools work?” or would like information on our new pool construction, pool remodeling, or pool financing options, reach out to us at (727) 786-POOL (7665) today.
