About Salt Water Pools Vs. Non-Salt Water Pools
More and more swimming pool owners are choosing salt water pools instead of non-salt water pools today. According to a 2009 article in Casual Living, about 15 percent of new pool constructions were salt water varieties in 2002. In 2009, the percentage is estimated at about 70 percent. While there are many benefits of choosing a salt water pool over a non-salt water model, there are some drawbacks as well. Does this Spark an idea?
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History
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Salt water pools began in Australia, as Kirstin Pires, communications director of the Association of Pool and Spa Professionals, told the Washington Times. It has been since about 2004 that salt water pools have found their way into many backyards in the United States. On the other hand, chlorine has been used to sanitize pools since 1948, according to an article in Recreation Management. Today, chlorine is used in a variety of forms to provide daily cleaning and the occasional shock treatment to keep pools clean and safe.
Benefits
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One of the greatest benefits to choosing a salt water pool over a non-salt water variety is that you do not have to add chlorine directly to the water regularly to keep it clean. Instead, salt is added via a salt water chlorinator, which transforms the salt into chlorine gas to keep water clear and clean. Because there tends to be less chlorine in the water, swimmers may find the pool is more comfortable to swim in, according to the Washington Times.
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Misconceptions
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It is a common misconception that salt water pools do not contain any chlorine. An article on Simplepoolcare.com explains that salt is a compound composed of both sodium and chlorine. When the salt goes into the salt water chlorinator, the substance is converted to chlorine gas by electrolysis. The chlorine gas is then distributed into the water to sanitize it and keep it clear. The difference is that this chlorine is usually not as irritating as standard chlorine tablets or other products used to clean a non-salt water pool.
Considerations
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Both salt water and non-salt water pools require regular maintenance to keep them clean and balanced. According to Casual Living, weekly tests for pH and chlorine and monthly tests for alkalinity, calcium hardness, stabilizer acids and metals are important for both types of pools. Salt water pools may also need a monthly salinity test. Both pools need regular shock treatments, although salt water pools rarely need an algicide added, according to Poolplaza.com.
Warning
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A 2008 report in the European Respiratory Journal, conducted by researchers from the Catholic University of Louvain in Belgium, links time in a chlorine pool with a higher incidence of some medical conditions in teenagers. The researchers compared children between the ages of 13 and 18, who spent time in both chlorinated pools and pools sanitized with other elements. The study found that subjects who spent a significant amount of time in chlorinated pools (100 hours or more) had a much higher risk of hay fever, asthma and allergic rhinitis.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit Yatmandu:Flickr.com Is a salt water or non-salt water pool best for your family?
