Salt water pools are growing in popularity as an alternative to traditional chlorine pools. The benefits of owning a salt water pool are impressive and may have you considering the switch.
Safety
Contrary to popular belief, salt water pools are not chlorine or chemical-free, but they are safer because pool owners do not have to handle the chlorine in its physical form nor find a good place to store it. You might be surprised to hear that salt water swimming pools use chlorine to keep the water clear. A salt water pool generates chlorine through a process called electrolysis. Salt is added to the pool, the water passes through the chlorine generator, then converts the salt into chlorine using an electric discharge. Salt water pools use a salt water chlorine generator (SWCG) to turn salt into chlorine. The chlorine eventually breaks down, leaving behind the salt to be reused.
Photo credits: Grolie Hom
Maintenance & Cost Savings
A SWCG makes it easier to maintain constant, proper chlorine levels. This allows you to avoid high chlorine levels that commonly occur in traditionally chlorinated pools, causing eyes to dry out and become irritated. Salt water pools ultimately save you time and money on costly chemicals, after the initial purchase and installation of a SWCG. Salt pools are also cleaner because the generator runs on a consistent schedule.
Skin Care & Health
A salt water pool leaves skin feeling softer and smoother upon exiting the pool, unlike non-SWCG pool water. The water is soft and won’t leave a noticeable residue in your hair or on your skin. Salt water is also known to exfoliate, rejuvenate and detoxify skin.
As far as health benefits, swimming is great exercise and a proven stress reliever. Salt water pools are even more beneficial because they make swimmers more buoyant and help to relieve inflammation in your joints and muscles. With a salt water pool, there is the added bonus of not exposing yourself or the environment to as many harmful chemicals.
Whether you’re considering an update or planning to build a pool, salt water pools are an excellent choice.
We really enjoy our salt water system. Was so easy to install and as you indicated it keeps the chlorine levels very consistent for us. We have noticed it does take some significant lowering of the output if you run your system year round with a heater and cover since the sun is not breaking down the chlorine as fast and the constant pump flow keeps the salt cell generating.
Thank you for sharing your feedback with our readers and customers! We agree there is a lot to love about salt water pools. 🙂 Hope you’re enjoying yours this summer.
Such a concise and helpful article. Thanks! I just want to point out that there is still chlorine in both types of systems. People who use salt are still producing chlorine through salt water generators. BUT. No doubt, salt water is much gentler to skin and eyes, as well as hair, because the salt water system has lower chlorine levels. Plus, saltwater system controls the effect of chloramines (chlorine by-products) in the water.