Saltwater Swimming Pools
Saltwater swimming pools are an alternative to chlorinated pools that have risen in popularity.
They still contain chlorine, but not nearly as much as a traditionally chlorinated pool. This type of pool also contains less salt than the ocean. The salinity of a saltwater pool is so mild that it doesn’t have a horrible taste if you happen to get some in your mouth.
If you have an interest in this kind of pool, be sure to contact the pool contractors at Pool Builders Near Me Texas, and we can help you discuss your options. We are a reputable pool installation company that can help you make the in-ground pool of your dreams a reality.
Saltwater Swimming Pools Installation
One reason many people like and choose to have saltwater swimming pools is that they don’t have to manually add chlorine tablets to keep the pool clean and sanitary. Instead, the way a saltwater pool maintains cleanliness is with a salt chlorine generator.
A salt chlorine generator is a device that utilizes electrolysis to turn salt into chlorine. That chlorine will clean the pool with less maintenance from you. However, you will still have to check the pH level of a saltwater pool to be sure the chemicals are working properly and that the pool is clean.
While saltwater pool maintenance is easier to handle when compared to other pools, it can get away from you if you stop paying attention. You don’t want the chlorine level to get too high, or you risk causing damage to your salt chlorine generator.
Chlorine is a chemical that can be harsh on the human body. If you swim in a pool often, you may find that a saltwater pool reacts less harshly to your skin, hair, and eyes. Traditional chlorine pools have a tendency to strip human hair of natural oils, dry out your skin, and burn your eyes. Because of that, you may be interested in the pool installation of a saltwater pool
Pros and Cons of Saltwater Pools
Some people also find that they don’t enjoy the smell of chlorine, and a saltwater pool is less pungent. The salt in the water can also make your pool feel smoother and silkier to the touch. You may even feel like your skin has been moisturized after a dip in your saltwater pool.
A downside is that while saltwater can be gentler on you, it won’t necessarily be gentler on your pool. Concrete, gunite, and plaster are all susceptible to being degraded by the salt in the water over time. Those materials will be abraded by the salt in the water, and the damage can be so severe that it calls for repair.
The initial pool installation of a saltwater pool can be more expensive than a traditional in-ground pool because of the salt chlorine generator, but it may save you money over time since you won’t have to buy chlorine tablets.
Salt chlorine generator machines are comprised of a control unit and a salt cell. The purpose of the control unit is to pass electricity on to the salt cell, which then turns the salt in the water into chlorine. A big benefit of this system is that you won’t be forced to handle undiluted chlorine. You also won’t have to buy chlorine, which can be expensive.
Salt Levels and Maintenace in a Saltwater In-ground Pool
When your saltwater swimming pool installation is initially completed and to replace the salt that has been lost, you will need to purchase pool salt to dump right into the water of the pool. You must monitor the salt content of your pool in order to know when to add more salt and maintain the appropriate salt concentration.
The salt in a saltwater pool also won’t have to be replaced very often because the salt will stay in circulation in the pool. Saltwater pool salt loss usually stems from backwashing, splash-out, or leaks. On average, you will need to add more salt on an annual basis.
Splash-out is the phenomenon when the water leaves the pool and is removed permanently. This can happen because of people getting out of the pool and splashing water onto the pool deck or patio. The water soaked into your hair, skin, and clothes also gets removed from the pool. An additional thing that can cause splash-out is your water features. A small amount of water can escape from your waterfalls, spillways, scuppers, and fountains over time.
Backwashing is a way to clean your pool filter that doesn’t involve any manual effort. It reverses the flow of water through the filter in order to remove debris. While this is a useful process, a small amount of water can be lost from your pool because of it. Each of these things seems negligible on its own, but it all adds up and is the reason why you eventually need to add more salt to your pool.
Another maintenance issue you will have to keep an eye on is any corrosion caused by the salt and salt buildup. Certain types of tiles and the metal components in ladders and handrails can become degraded by the salt content of a saltwater pool. Additionally, when the pH and alkalinity of the pool aren’t balanced, it can cause damage to the tile grout.
The good news is that salt residue can be removed through a little bit of gentle scrubbing with a brush. There are also certain types of tiles that weather saltwater better than others. Tiles that are made of glass or porcelain are best for use in saltwater pools. It is recommended you stay away from natural stone tiles (like travertine) because they will become discolored over time.
For that reason, you should also take care with the material you choose for your patio or pool deck if you decide to commit to the pool installation of a saltwater pool. Travertine is one of the building material options we have available at Pool Builders Near Me Texas, and it might not be the right choice for your pool deck as the owner of a saltwater pool.
Call the pool contractors at Pool Builders Near Me Texas to learn more about saltwater pools. We’ve helped clients throughout the Houston area create saltwater swimming pools, and you can be the next. We’ll show you how we can design your dream saltwater swimming pool through our 3D design process.
