What Are the Pros & Cons of Using Saltwater in Swimming Pools?
Swimming in the sea can be closer to home by installing a saltwater swimming pool. These alternatives to a traditional chlorine pool got their start in Australia. Saltwater swimming pools process pool salt into chlorine. While there are several benefits to saltwater swimming pools, there are also several drawbacks. Does this Spark an idea?
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Less Chlorine
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Chlorine is hard on your skin, nails, swimsuits and hair. Saltwater pools still use chlorine, but it is created from pool salt processed through a generator, which makes the water softer and smell better.
Cost
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Starting up a salt water pool is expensive--prices vary depending on the pool system. Once the initial cost of converting to saltwater is done, the cost of salt is around $20 for an entire summer versus a bucket of chlorine at $60 every week.
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Medical Benefits
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According to researchers in Australia, saltwater pools also have health benefits. A study conducted in 2000 found that skin infections decreased from 60 percent to 20 percent in Aboriginal communities studied.
Scaling
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Saltwater pools have problems with scaling--calcium buildup on the surface of the pool and the plates of the system. This is a common problem with self-cleaning systems.
Initial Startup Costs
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According to Swimming Pool Maintenance Tips, salt chlorinator systems are expensive: $1,000 to $2,000. It will take a long time before the cost savings from not purchasing chlorine will be felt.
Corrosion
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The oxygen present in salt and water is very corrosive, adding another disadvantage to saltwater pools. Salt can corrode the metal and painted surfaces of the pool.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of Jean-Marc Kuffer
