A saltwater pool is an easier and more convenient alternative for those who want a pool in their homes but shy away from the maintenance effort. While a saltwater pool is easier to maintain, it does require knowledge of some technicalities that you have to get right as a pool owner. Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. Here is everything you need to know about maintaining and taking care of a saltwater pool.
What is a Salt Water Pool?
Saltwater pools are becoming increasingly popular in public places like hotels, cruise ships, and also people’s homes. This is because they are easier to maintain and have fewer adverse effects on swimmers’ skin.
As the name suggests, a saltwater pool has salt added to it. It has a built-in filtration system that uses electricity to turn the added salt into chlorine. In a regular pool, chlorine tablets need to be added to the water on a regular basis in order to keep the pool clean. The chlorine made from salt in the saltwater pools is natural and much less harmful than store-bought chlorine and does the same job.
While it may seem like adding some salt into the pool every once in a while is not a big deal, there is a little more effort that goes into maintaining a saltwater pool. The alkalinity of the water as well as the pH levels, have to be monitored regularly.
Before learning how to maintain a saltwater pool, it is essential to understand how a saltwater pool’s maintenance differs from that of a chlorinated pool. Moreover, it is also important to understand the function of chlorine and its importance to the cleanliness and health of your pool.
Chlorine is a chemical that has certain oxidation levels and price points that make it a magical agent for cleaning. It is one of the crucial elements of any type of pool. However, large amounts of chlorine also tend to be harmful to human skin, so it is essential to administer it carefully.
Maintaining a Salt Water Pool
Unlike chlorinated pools, a saltwater pool does not require you to dump huge amounts of chlorine into it every few days in order to keep it clean. Instead, a saltwater pool uses a unique system to turn the salt into chlorine naturally and in a less harmful way. The salt reacts to the electricity in the system and turns into hypochlorous acid and hydrogen gas. The acid cleans the water and rids it of bacteria while the gas just exits the water.
While this is easy and convenient as compared to regular chlorine checkups and refills, it should also be kept in mind that salt is corrosive. This means that whenever the level of salt in your pool exceeds the maximum limit, it will quickly begin breaking down all your pool equipment that is in the water, including your filters and railings. The repairs of pool equipment can cost you a great deal of money, so it is important to regularly monitor the level of salt in your pool.
Moreover, one of the first steps of maintaining any saltwater pool is to ensure that your circulation is working. This means that saltwater should pass through pool filters to make sure the concentration of salt does not settle in one place and cause excessive corrosion.
Another major difference between chlorine pools and saltwater pools is that saltwater pools require regular cleaning. This is because they have smaller amounts of chlorine, which does the job in standard pools. Cleaning equipment for saltwater pools is also different and is specially designed. While cleaning your saltwater pool with regular pool cleaning supplies is possible, it might not be the best investment because the salt content tends to lessen the durability of the devices.
To maintain the desired levels of salt in your pool, you can also use test kits available in the market. You can use these kits to measure salt levels, pH levels, and chlorine levels. Sometimes, the natural salt content in the water is not enough to make the salt chlorine generator. In such cases, you will have to add pool salt into the water until it reaches the desired level. Your stabilizer level is also an important factor to keep an eye on. A stabilizer is added to a pool to ensure the chlorine does not evaporate too quickly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I get my saltwater pool maintenance done by a professional?
Yes, you can! If you have a saltwater pool in your house and just don’t have the time to properly maintain it, you can get in touch with McCallum’s Pool Service. They offer cleaning, repair, and maintenance services for all types of pools at extremely reasonable prices.
Q: How can I contact McCallum’s Pool Service & Repair?
Getting your desired pool cleaning, maintenance, and repair services at your doorstep has never been easier. You can go to their website and click “request” on the pool services you want. The website will show you how to book an appointment through a user-friendly and straightforward procedure. Moreover, you can also call them at their given number and book an appointment for a free consultation today!
McCallum’s Pool Service Can Help
Saltwater pools are the latest trend in the market, and they have taken enthusiasts by storm. With their easy upkeep and maintenance, they are surely turning out to be the better option for building a home pool. Saltwater pools share a few similarities with standard, chlorinated pools but they also have stark differences. Saltwater pools are not only easy to maintain, but they are also less harmful and have lower operational costs.
However, it is crucial to fully understand the few elements that go into their maintenance. It is recommended to consult a professional pool service in order to ensure a long and healthy life for your saltwater pool. McCallum’s Pool Service and Repairs offers you the best services in town at the most competitive prices.