Saltwater pools are becoming increasingly more common among pool owners and businesses with pools. As these pools become more popular, it is important to understand the good and the not-so-good about this type of pool. This is especially crucial if you are in the market for a new pool or are considering modifying your existing pool. In this blog, we’ll take a deeper dive into the pros and cons of saltwater pools.
About Saltwater Pools
Saltwater pools are pools that utilize saltwater as a cleaning method. These pools can either be residential or commercial in nature, meaning you could find a saltwater pool at a water park or in someone’s backyard. Contrary to some popular belief, the water does not come from the ocean. Instead, salt water is mixed into regular pool water to create a similar feel to the ocean.
The actual cleaning process saltwater pools use is called electrolysis. This process converts the salt into chlorine, which allows for the water to stay clean without the need to add many chemicals on a regular basis. Many pool owners really love the maintenance of the saltwater pools. Read on to learn more about the pros and cons of having a saltwater pool.
Pros of Saltwater Pools
There are many great things about saltwater pools, including the following:
- Lower-cost maintenance. It is said the annual residential chlorine pool maintenance cost is anywhere from $100 to $400. Saltwater pools are much cheaper by comparison, coming in at around $70 to $100 annually. This is largely due to less chemical balances needed throughout the year.
- Less toxicity. With the salt doing the heavy lifting of cleaning, less synthetic chemicals are needed in your pool. For the health-conscious swimmer, this may come as a relief, knowing that less synthetic chemicals with inevitable toxins are going into you and your family’s bodies while taking a dip.
- Less scent-heavy. Many people do not care for the strong smell chlorine pools give off. Saltwater pools give off a significantly less strong smell, especially comparing indoor saltwater versus indoor chlorine pools.
- Best return. The above pros make saltwater pools a true appeal to potential future buyers of your home and pool. It is generally said that the entirety of a saltwater pool investment can be recouped in the sale of the home.
Cons of Saltwater Pools
Every rose has its thorn and saltwater pools are no exception. A few of the cons of saltwater pools include:
- High initial cost. Due to the complexity of the systems needed to process salt, saltwater pools have a higher initial cost to build.
- Higher erosion rate. Salt can speed up the natural erosion of the pool, leading to potentially sooner long-term maintenance.
- More pieces (to break). Saltwater pools do have more elements to their systems, so naturally, there are more components that can break and need repaired or replaced.
- Cannot destroy chlorine-resistant bacteria. Due to the lesser amount of chemicals required, some bacterial parasites cannot be destroyed by the salt.
- Does not produce chlorine in lower temperatures. Saltwater pools require a certain temperature threshold, specifically of 60 degrees Fahrenheit, in order to be able to produce chlorine through electrolysis. Areas that frequently have temperatures below this threshold may not be best for saltwater pools.
McCallum’s Pool Service Can Help
Our team of pool professionals are experts in saltwater pools and in knowing the best type of pool for you. We provide a full-service experience for pool builds and repairs, from expert consulting to quality builds. We love helping Phoenix-area people figure out the right type of pool for them and their families.
Call Us Today
If you are looking for a second opinion on whether a saltwater pool might be right for your home or business, give us a call today at (480) 734-2495. We’d love to hear about your goals for your pool and how we can help you achieve the pool of your dreams.