For most people, the big selling point for saltwater pools is, well, the salt! The lower-chlorine saltwater is better for swimmers' hair, skin and eyes. Additionally, it also tends to be less harsh on pool toys and swimsuits. So saltwater offers better longevity for your accessories.
While they do cost a bit more on the front end than a chlorine set up, the ongoing maintenance for saltwater pools is typically far less expensive. Generally, you can expect to pay somewhere around $300 to $800 a year on the chemicals you'll need to maintain a chlorine pool.
Is a salt water pool better than a chlorine pool? In our professional opinion, YES! Salt water pools are generally lower in chlorine. The chlorine found in saltwater pools are naturally produced from salt, rather than adding harsh liquid chlorine (a.k.a bleach).
Is a salt water pool easier to maintain? Yes, a salt water pool is easier to maintain! There's no need to purchase, store and add chlorine to your pool. Simply add salt and your pool's salt chlorinator will do all the work of making chlorine.
You definitely need to drain some water from the pool when salinity reaches a 6,000 ppm level. Most salt water pools should be maintained with a salinity level of 2,500-4,000 ppm. The amount you drain depends on how elevated salinity levels are.
A well-maintained salt chlorine generator will last 3–7 years.
How much does saltwater pool conversion cost? Most people are able to convert their inground pools to a salt system for around $1,700 to $2,500 plus the cost of salt (typically 25 cents to 63 cents per pound).
Expect to pay less than $100 per year for the salt and chemicals to maintain your salt water swimming pool. Compare this to $300 to $800 yearly for the chemicals to maintain a traditional chlorine pool. Homeowners should budget an additional $200 to $700 every 3 to 5 years to replace the salt cell.
So, not only is shocking a saltwater pool okay, but it's actually important to your pool's health. Shocking is the process in which you overload your pool with chlorine (3-5 times the normal amount) to improve your pool's cleanliness and kill off organic matter.
Wash your hairs and clean the body. YES. It's a good rule of thumb to shower after swimming regardless of where you swim, even in pools. There are bacteria in all bodies of water, and many bacteria are harmful.
Will My Saltwater Pool Freeze? Yes, they will! Saltwater pools only have a fraction of the salinity of ocean water, so they will freeze in Ottawa's cold winter temperatures. This is why it's important to drain the water to below the skimmer and blow out any lines when closing the pool for the winter.
Saltwater will sanitize your pool, but it does so through electrolysis, which produces bacteria-killing chlorine. In other words, saltwater pools are no healthier or safer than chlorinated ones.
Annual booster additions of pool salt are usually required, but only to replace salt lost from backwashing, splashout or lowering the water for winter. If you fully drain the pool for maintenance, you will need to replace all of the pool salt.
A saltwater pool is an alternative to a traditional chlorine pool. Although you don't add chlorine tablets to a saltwater pool, it does still contain chlorine. It just has a smaller amount that's generated through the filter system. A saltwater pool contains 10 times less salt than the ocean.
Winterizing is an important step whether you own a salt water pool or a regular chlorine pool and will help make spring start up a whole lot easier as well as reduce the time and chemicals needed to get your pool ready.
Salt Is More Expensive Than Chlorine
Although saltwater pools require a different generator than chlorine pools, chlorine is actually much more expensive than salt is. This is especially true with the chlorine shortage happening right now.
Saltwater pools can definitely be heated just like freshwater pools. The saltwater chlorinator does not affect heating units, so you will not have to worry about this when installing a heater in your swimming pool. The heating units will also be set up and installed in the same way as in chlorine pools.
Chlorine is preferable over other treatment options for a variety of reasons: It is more affordable and cost effective. Chlorine hot tubs require less upkeep and last longer than salt water hot tubs. Chlorine achieves the cleanliness and oxidation levels that other chemicals and methods do not.
Saltwater pools
The cost of day-to-day operations is cheaper. Home Depot estimates $20–$30 for an entire summer supply of salt. Chlorine for a summer runs from $150–$180.