Questions About A Saltwater Pool

When people are considering changing their pool to a saltwater pool, they ask plenty of questions. Here are some of the most popular questions and answers to help if you are considering the saltwater switch.

1. Isn’t a saltwater pool really salty?

Well, yes it is salty by definition, but that doesn’t make it “really salty.” In fact, a saltwater pool has only about 1/10th of the salt that is in ocean water.

2. Are certain pools not for saltwater?

Due to its chemical reactions and the salt, certain materials may be more corrosive than others but the likelihood of that happening is low as long as the pH is correct. Previously, in the older models of saltwater systems, metals could be more affected by the salt. Now since they are able to operate on a lower salt concentration, as long as the balance is correct those issues shouldn’t be a problem. Watch the metal stairs and the metal around lights and be sure to keep them clean. Try to avoid saltwater setups in concrete pools or pools that have lower-quality natural stone since the salt can break them down. If you do have a pool surrounded by natural stone, the quality of the stone will determine if it holds up, but that is the case with any type of water.

3. Is a saltwater pool safe if my child has allergies?

Many people report that their allergy symptoms become better after switching to a saltwater pool. Swimmers every year suffer from chlorine allergy symptoms, and by switching to a saltwater pool, you are greatly reducing the amount of chlorine thereby possibly increasing the positive health benefits.

4. Will I need to replace my pump or filter?

Once you have a saltwater conversion kit, the rest of the materials should stay the same. Look here to see what you’ll need to change your chlorinated pool into a saltwater pool.

5. Won’t I still need chlorine?

Besides the occasional shock and algaecide, the only chlorine that should be in your pool is going to occur naturally from the salt. This chlorine is less than a third of what used to occur in your pool water. So you still get clean water without the harsh effects of chlorine.

6. Won’t I spend a lot on salt?

Nope. Salt is much cheaper than chlorine and other chemicals. Usually, it’s common to spend a maximum of $30 a year for salt to keep your pool balanced.

Once you have your salt cell and saltwater chlorinator (also referred to as a chlorine generator), you are well on your way to a more natural, saltwater pool. If you have other saltwater pool questions, leave them in the comments. Or if you have helpful saltwater pool tips, by all means please add them.