Salt vs. chlorine: how to pick the perfect outdoor pool

The summer heat is hitting the Triangle and one of the best, most unforgettable ways to beat the heat is by hitting the pool to cool off. If the thought of a pool in your backyard is inviting and you don’t already have one, it might be time to make the investment in this summertime amenity.

While swimming pools may not be for everyone, they can increase the value of your home by around 7 percent. What’s more, they can bring a full season of fun to your family. If you’re already set on installing a pool, the next question is this: should your pool be a chlorine or saltwater pool? If you’re uncertain of the difference, keep reading. The following explains what you should know to find the right pool for you.  

Most people are familiar with chlorine swimming pools because they’ve been popular for generations. The chemical element chlorine keeps pools safe by killing germs and bacteria that can make people sick.

While chlorine pools are the norm, people tend to have issues with the harshness of chlorine itself. Chlorine can be harsh on eyes and skin, can dry out hair, and can even cause issues for anyone with respiratory issues like asthma. If these issues don’t cause you any concern, a chlorine pool may be right for you.

Because chlorine pools are the standard, they tend to be the most affordable option for many homeowners. Installation costs may vary depending upon the type of materials you choose for your swimming pool. Once a pool is installed, you can enjoy a summertime of fun and save on costs of gym and city pools.

There are a few reasons saltwater pools may be a good choice for your home. Saltwater is gentle on the eyes and skin, and it typically produces softer water than a chlorine pool.

Yet to understand saltwater pools, it’s important to first understand that these types of pools are nothing like swimming in ocean water. There is significantly less salt in a saltwater pool than there is in the sea. It’s also a fact that, like chlorine pools, there is also chlorine involved in the disinfection of this type of pool. Through a process called electrolysis, chlorine is produced by the salt in the water through the use of a salt-chlorine generator. But because the method produces chlorine, you won’t need to add the chlorine chemical to the water; instead, you add bags of pool salt. That can often lead to fewer overhead costs than a chlorine pool and no chemical storage, which may be a benefit.

It’s important to know that saltwater can be corrosive, so you’ll need to continue watching certain elements within your pool to make sure they aren’t destroying them. Keep an eye on handrails and bolts, salt cells, and your pump and filter to make sure salt isn’t building up and corrosion isn’t causing issues.

If you’re set on the addition of a swimming pool, keep in mind that there are a few steps to follow before you get started. If you’re working with a local pool company, they will help you weigh the pros and cons of the different types of pools. They’ll also design your perfect pool and will finalize the steps you need to take, such as ensuring your septic system can handle the water flow. Following the right steps will ensure your pool is installed correctly and that your summer is unforgettable.

The Jim Allen Group provides access to information on this blog/website as a public service for educational purposes only. Although reasonable efforts have been made to ensure that all of the information made available is current, accurate, and complete…[read more]