Pros and Cons of Saltwater Pools
September 16, 2021A pool can be a great addition to your custom home design. There are more options than ever to choose from when it comes to pools. In addition to shapes, colors, structures, and more, you can also choose from various water options. Here are a few pros and cons of saltwater pools to help you determine if saltwater is the right option for you:
What is a Saltwater Pool?
A saltwater pool is a type of swimming pool that uses a saltwater chlorine generator as its sanitation system. The saltwater chlorine generator is used to convert bulk salt into chlorine.
Converted chlorine performs the same function in a pool as traditional chlorine. It sanitizes by oxidizing dirt and chloramines while also killing bacteria and algae, but tends to be gentler and less irritating than traditional pool chlorine.
Pros and Cons of Saltwater Pools
Here are the pros and cons of saltwater pools:
3 Pros of Saltwater Pools
Saltwater pools offer several benefits. Here are a few pros of saltwater pools:
1. Saltwater Pools Tend to Cause Less Irritation
Saltwater systems tend to make the water feel “softer”. They also tend to cause less irritation to eyes and skin than harsher systems like traditional chlorine. Additionally, saltwater pools tend to be gentler on swimsuits, clothing, and hair. This is one of the reasons why saltwater pools are one of the popular pool design trends.
2. They Tend to Require Fewer Adjustments
Although you will still need to check levels and make adjustments to chemicals regularly, you won’t need to do it as much for a saltwater pool. Other pool sanitation systems tend to have more peaks and valleys in terms of sanitation levels, which require more frequent adjustments.
Saltwater systems tend to be more consistent and stable; as such, they have fewer of those peaks and valleys and usually require fewer adjustments. Maintenance is one of the big considerations for swimming pool pros and cons. In the case of saltwater pools, the easier maintenance is a big pro.
3. Saltwater Pools Tend to be a Greener Option
Because salt practically recycles itself, saltwater pools can be a greener, more eco-friendly option when it comes to pool options. Plus, salt is low in cost and may show savings in maintenance costs when compared to a traditional chlorine system.
3 Cons of Saltwater Pools
As with anything, there are some potential drawbacks to saltwater pools as well. Here are a few cons of saltwater pools:
1. Salt is Still Corrosive
Although saltwater pools may be gentler on hair and skin, salt is still corrosive. It will damage your pool components over time, especially the metals, if you don’t take precautions.
A Zinc Anode, or Sacrificial Anode, can be added to delay corrosion and help protect metal components of the pool. An anode may help, but you may still need to avoid certain types of materials.
2. They Tend to be a Larger Initial Investment
Saltwater pools tend to cost more initially compared to traditional pool options. However, they also tend to pay for themselves over time because they tend to be less costly to maintain. But, the larger initial investment will be something to consider as you determine the budget and design for your custom home.
3. Saltwater Pools Tend to be More Complex
Saltwater pools may generally be easier to maintain, but they are still more complex systems than traditional swimming pools. Because of this, when something goes wrong, it usually requires experienced technicians. This can be the case even for minor issues.
These are just a few pros and cons of saltwater pools to help you determine if one could be the right fit for you. Whether a pool is part of your dream home or not, Custom Home Group can help you bring it to life. Call 717-284-4090 to start making your dream home a reality!