Saltwater Pool Buyers Guide: The Essential Pros and Cons:

The much-awaited summer is around the corner and the Aussie spirit at an all-time high, now is the right time to unwind with your family in your very own pool.

Today, we explore a recent trend of salt water pools and why it is an excellent choice in the salt water vs chlorine debate. The pros and cons of choosing a salt water pool are discussed in detail in this article to help you make an informed choice this summer.

Coolabah pools and Landscapes are here to help you out at every step along the way to ensure that you make the right choice. Our ultimate buying guide has been curated to give our customers insights about the all-important question: saltwater pool vs chlorine?

What are the benefits of saltwater pools?

Salt water pools use salt chlorine generators for cleaning. This technique ensures that the chlorine and salinity levels are optimally maintained, thereby reducing water testing frequency and maintenance requirements.

The salt is directly added to the chlorine generator and helps in reducing maintenance costs while ensuring high safety standards.

The electrolysis process of salt water pool systems works to keep algae and bacteria away. The reduced chlorine levels can be beneficial to the heath as it is known to have less impact on the skin, eyes and hair.

This can create a more enjoyable swimming experience for some people as it can reduce some irritations such as itchy throat, irritation to eyes, rashes and other allergies.

Is a saltwater pool easier to maintain?

Generally we find that the ongoing maintenance for salt water pools vs chlorine involves less manpower. Salt generators ensure that routine pool cleaning, draining and generator maintenance can be made less frequently whilst maintaining the water and equipment quality.

The recent advances in automatic flash alert technology have made salt water pool maintenance easier with pool owners getting regular alerts when it is time to change salt cells, monitor filters and skimmers. 

The generator control box and generator cells do however require maintenance by expert technicians which can make saltwater pools more costly.

Are salt water pools more expensive?

A saltwater pool is generally more expensive than a traditional pool as it does require a higher upfront cost. Salt water requires specific underwater lighting, fixtures and heaters etc which does come at a higher initial cost.

The generator system is more complex therefore the maintenance and repair work will require the assistance of experienced and licensed professionals to ensure that the salt water pool and the added features are maintained adequately.

Salt water pool chemistry?

A stable salt water pool has a pH level of 7.8 and an alkalinity level of 770-80 ppm. While it is a common misconception that salt water pools are free of chlorine, the reality is a little different.

Salt water pool systems are an effective chlorine treatment system with the generators taking the responsibility to regulate the chlorine in the pools.

Instead of annually adding large amounts of chlorine through chlorine tablets or sticks, the electrolysis process of salt water pool systems ensures a stable generation of chlorine and hypochlorous acid that aids in pool sanitization. This process is important to prevent the buildup of chloramines and sanitize the pool.

The salinity in salt water pools is about one tenth of that in oceans and this makes the skin feel better and eliminates harmful effects on the body. 

The salinity of salt water pools may make it incompatible with certain materials and may reduce your choice for the materials used for added features. Hence, it is vital to talk to your pool builder to understand your options while installing heaters, liners, pool lighting and other poolside landscaping to increase the longevity of the ultimate saltwater pool experience.

The team at Coolabah Pools & Landscapes are available to chat about all things pool related – from design, to budgets and timelines. Contact us today on 03 9763 4566 to talk about your project or click the link below to book a free consultation.

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