There are some common questions about saltwater pools that we can answer to help you decide if it’s right for you.
If you’re thinking about having a new swimming pool installed this year but you’re still on the fence about whether a saltwater swimming pool is right for you, we’ve got you covered. Here are some of the more frequently asked questions about saltwater swimming pools and their answers.
Will the water be salty?
If you hear “saltwater pool” and immediately have flashbacks of getting a mouthful of seawater—don’t fret. The ocean has, on average, 35,000 ppm (parts per million) of salt. This is at the top end of what is considered highly saline water, which ranges from 10,000-35,000 ppm.
A saltwater swimming pool, on the other hand, only has around 2,700-3,200 ppm of salt. The salt content of a saltwater swimming pool is more than 10x less than that of the ocean. The salt content is so low that you will not taste it or really even notice it at all. If you do start to taste salt, it means your salt content is too high, and you’ll need to correct it. It’s always best to add salt to your pool slowly as you learn how much you need. You can always add a little more, but you can’t remove it once it’s in the water column.
Can I open my eyes underwater?
Many people have found that keeping their eyes open underwater without goggles is easier in saltwater pools than traditional chlorine pools since saltwater pools don’t require harsh chemicals to maintain. However, it is recommended that people still wear goggles if they have sensitive eyes or they swim with contacts in.
Is a saltwater pool chlorine-free?
The short answer is no. The way a saltwater pool works, in simple terms, is the salt that you add to the pool is used by your pool’s sanitation systems to convert it into chlorine which is what keeps your pool clean. However, the overall chlorine content of a saltwater pool is much lower than that of a traditional chlorine pool. You may have to add extra chlorine when opening and closing the pool or during times of the year when it’s especially warm and algae growth is possible, but the result will still be a lower overall chlorine content.
Are saltwater pools easier to maintain?
Not only do people tend to find that saltwater pools are easier to maintain, but they are also often cheaper to maintain. Saltwater pool systems are more complex than chlorine pool systems. With a traditional chlorine pool, a lot of the work needs to be done manually, and you’ll need to have knowledge of water chemistry, knowing where your numbers need to be and how to get them there and keep them stable. Saltwater swimming pools only require you to add the salt, and then the system will do the rest for you. It’s not entirely maintenance-free, but the overall experience is much easier, and there’s less that you need to do yourself.
Will saltwater damage my pool and equipment?
Salt is corrosive, and it’s understandable that people would be worried about it causing damage to metal in the water (such as a pool ladder) or clogging up the filtration system. However, it’s important to note that chlorine also has the potential to damage pool equipment and filtration systems. In addition, as mentioned earlier, the salt content in a saltwater swimming pool is so low that you won’t even notice it. As long as the salt content is kept at a proper ratio, it won’t be more likely to damage your equipment or systems than a chlorine pool.
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