Is a Saltwater Swimming Pool Right for You?

Many homeowners are preferring saltwater swimming pools due to how easy they are to take care of. The cost is higher for installation, but what you will save in maintenance and supplies makes it a smart investment.

You’ll find savings when you no longer have to buy chlorine tablets. This is a noticeable saving each month. Depending on the quality of the chlorine you previously purchased and the size of your swimming pool.

Testing your saltwater swimming pool on a regular basis is necessary for your pool’s health. If you don’t keep a careful watch on your water’s level of chlorine, then you can end up with either too much or too little chlorine being produced. Your equipment is then vulnerable to damage. The last thing you want to end up doing is replacing damaged equipment in order for your pool to function correctly. The salt level in your swimming pool should be between 2,500 to 3,000 parts per million.

In addition to the cost savings on chemicals, you also are benefiting from no longer needing to handle the supplies. Many homeowners find this to be a worthwhile trade-off. You no longer have to worry about making sure that you’re adding the correct amount of each chemical or worry about concerns of chemicals getting on your skin or in your eyes. If you have small children or pets you no longer need to be concerned about them getting into the products as well.

However, there may be times that you will need to add chlorine to your saltwater swimming pool. There are a variety of reasons this may be necessary. If you live in an area that frequently gets heavy rains then additional chlorine may need to be added. If your swimming pool has constant use by large amounts of people then you may find it needs additional chlorine to be added. Check with a professional before adding additional chlorine. You don’t want to throw your levels out of balance by adding chlorine if it doesn’t need it. Plus, you need to be sure you are adding the correct amount. Click here for further information on how to shock a saltwater pool.

Of course, you want your saltwater pool to look refreshing and appealing at all times. Some pools may after years of use, have a tendency to be discolored on the bottoms of them. They can get a dingy looking brownish or yellowish tint to them. This unwanted look is due to the salt collecting and settling on the bottom of the swimming pool. To prevent this from occurring there are chemicals you can add regularly to your water to prevent this from happening. It’s important to make sure you do this as a preventative measure to deter this from happening in the first place. Once those stains form it is near impossible to remove them.

It’s possible that the salt can cause areas such as your railings and stairs to begin to rust. You want to try to protect them. It will make your swimming pool look dingy and uninviting. There are a variety of preventative treatments available for this. If you have a newer salt water pool they are made from materials that are not likely to rust.

In order to save water, you can put your backwash to good use. It will not damage your plants or grass so use it to water them. Although taking care of a saltwater swimming pool is different from maintenance on a regular pool, it seems to be easier with less use of needed chemicals. See Healthline’s article on the pros and cons of saltwater pools for additional information. Take the time to learn more about the disadvantages as well as the benefits in order for you to make a well-informed decision about whether or not a saltwater swimming pool is the right choice for you.