Experience the Benefits of a Salt Water Pool
For some people, the mere mention of the word chlorine can leave their hair frizzy, their skin dry and their eyes red. Irritation caused by poorly maintained pools can make many swimmers uneasy and wary of using any pool chemicals. The good news? Anyone looking for a chlorine-free option has a solution—salt water pool systems.
Top Advantages of a Saltwater Pool
The so-called saltwater pool is the most popular alternative to conventional chlorine systems, making up about 13 percent of the roughly 10 million residential and commercial pools in the U.S. in 2010, according to Duluth, Ga., pool-market-research firm P.K. Data Inc.
But hear the words saltwater pool and you might start envisioning yourself enjoying a swim in the ocean. The truth is salt water pool systems do not provide the same experience as swimming in the ocean, and they still depend on some chlorine for sanitizing. These pools don’t contain actual seawater, instead, salt reacts with electricity at the source of the water flow to generate high concentrations of pure chlorine that are then dispersed through the pool. The result? No stinky, itch-inducing byproducts that conventional chlorine pools produce. What else?
Health Benefits of a Salt Water Pool
Salt is much less harsh on the hair, skin and eyes than chlorine. That’s because the chemical form of chlorine actually depends on added chemicals for stabilization—and these additives are what cause your irritation. So that means:
- No itchy red eyes
- No irritated, dry skin
- No dry, frizzy hair
- Less effects on breathing for allergy/asthma sufferers
Cost Benefits of Salt Water Pool Systems
Most industry experts agree that the typical cost for pool chemicals in a traditional pool range between $25 and $40 per month. With saltwater pool maintenance, you basically dump a bag of salt in the machine every six weeks. The cost? Less than $10 per month! With a salt water pool, you’ll discover:
- A cost savings of hundreds of dollars annually
- Swimwear will last much longer because the heavy chlorine levels aren’t causing them to fade and disintegrate quickly.
- Lower electricity bills because you’re not running your filtration system constantly
Salt Water Pool Maintenance Benefits
A salt water pool is extremely easy to maintain. Salt water pool maintenance is more hands-off because the salt cell simply produces chlorine as needed. Keep in mind though, you still have to monitor chlorine levels periodically to make sure everything is working correctly.
- You must top off the salt levels when they are affected by flooding or splashed out of your pool. Luckily, when the water evaporates, the salt level remains available for when you fill your pool with water.
- Most saltwater filtration systems monitor themselves and warn you if a modification to your pools water is required. That means you’re spending less time and effort taking care of your pool and more time enjoying it!
Other Benefits of a Salt Water Pool
- Safety. You won’t be handling toxic chemicals for salt water pool maintenance..
- Longer-lasting clean. Salt has a natural algae reducing effect.
- A salt water pool provides a much more pleasant swimming experience. The soft water makes your skin feel great, and you won’t find the harsh taste and smell associated with chlorine pools.
Once confined to luxury hotel pools, salt water pool systems are now popping up in the backyards of homeowners all across the country. While the upfront costs of installing a salt water pool may be more than a traditional pool, you’re actually saving more money in the long run. And judging by the soaring sales numbers of salt water pool systems, people find the advantages of a salt water pool to far out outweigh the negatives.