Which Is Better Saltwater Or Chlorine Pool

What Chlorine Doesnt Do

The age-old question: did that guy pee in the pool? About ten years ago, one study revealed that 20 percent of Americans admitted to peeing in the pool. Imagine how many of the other 80 percent were lying. Thats a lot of urine. Add to that the fact that your skin currently houses about 1.5 trillion bacteria right this second, and when you jump in the pool, they all go with you.

If ten people are in a swimming pool, then, two of them are peeing in it, and along with that urine, up to 15 trillion different bacteria are swimming around looking for something to do.

Now, before you vow never to swim again in the face of those disturbing facts, all that stuff is what chlorine is for– keeping those bacteria at bay and disinfecting the water. What it cant do is work perpetually.

We maintain pools to ensure chlorination levels are high enough to do the job. However, every time chlorine has to seek out and destroy potential pathogens, whether from skin-borne bacteria, urine, or even fecal matter, its effectiveness decreases. Unless replenished, the chlorine will eventually stop sanitizing.

For this reason, the Centers for Disease Control recommends not peeing in the pool and that you should shower before you get in the water. Some things you think you dont have to say, and then you find a study on the Internet that tells you, you were wrong.

One Last Maintenance Tidbit

Anyone who has maintained a chlorine pool has likely had to deal with shocking the pool. This process involves over-chlorinating the water in an attempt to kill any and everything in it . A chlorine pool should be shocked once every one to two weeks to maintain all the chemical balance and sanitary conditions.

Contrary to popular belief, you must also shock a saltwater pool. When you think about it, this makes sense: saltwater pools, as we have learned, use chlorine to kill bacteria just like a chlorine pool does, so it would make sense that shocking was necessary. The good thing is that saltwater pools need it much less often – as sporadically as twice per year.

Cut Chlorine In 1/2 With Frog Fresh Minerals Its Easier On Surfaces

A saltwater pool isnt a low maintenance option.

pH levels in saltwater pools tend to be higher and require increased monitoring. Regular doses of muriatic acid have to be added in order to clean your saltwater pools salt cells.

Saltwater systems are expensive.

Saltwater chlorinators cost from $600 $2,500 on average just to get up and running and in 3 to 4 years, salt cells need to be replaced.

Saltwater spillover from your pool onto your pool deck, grass, shrubs and flowers can be costly.

Finally, a pool sanitizer thats a better alternative to salt.

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Ultraviolet Radiation Pool Ozone Generator

Ultraviolet light is used in many applications to kill bacteria in water reclamation, drinking water, waste water and also pool water. The use of a UV lamp in water applications is seen as an efficient and cost effective way to treat water to make it safe for human consumption.

A ultraviolet radiation pool ozone generator is designed to allow water that is passing through the system to be treated for a wide variety of pool contaminants that would normally be inactivated by chlorine.

Product example: Clear O3/Ultra UV2 system from Paramount which uses a UV lamp to convert oxygen to ozone to inactivate organic compounds that pollutes pool water while also inactivating micro organisms like algae, viruses and bacteria.

Benefits of these systems are that they tend to be cheaper to install than the corona discharge models. Modern UV lamps can also last longer than older models decreasing your maintenance time.

Lounge Chairs Sit Poolside On Pool Kings

Lounge chairs sit poolside near waterfall and Baja shelf, as seen on DIY Network’s Pool Kings.

Cons

Chlorine pools rely on chemicals to keep the water sanitized and some of these chemicals come with certain health risks. Chlorine is known to irritate your skin, eyes and throat, and it can dry out skin and bleach swimwear. Some people simply dislike the smell of chlorine.

While there are no major upfront costs to a chlorine system, chlorine pools require buying a steady supply of chlorine and other chemicals to balance your pool chemistry. This can add up over time, more so than the cost of salt for saltwater pools. You will also need to handle the chemicals when adding them to the pool, which may be unappealing to people who prefer avoiding exposure to harsh chemicals. Owners may also find maintaining a chlorine pool to be more cumbersome since you must perform weekly tasks such as checking the chemical balance, adding chlorine tablets and shocking the pool.

Another factor to keep in mind is that chlorine must be stored in a safe location, which may be especially tricky for people with young children or limited space.

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A Common Misconception Of Chlorine And Saltwater Pools

Its important to get this information out of the way first. Did you know that saltwater pools also have chlorine?! The majority of people believe that because its called a saltwater pool, that uses mainly a salinated system. In fact, saltwater pools contain about the same amount of salt as human tears . This is why its possible to open your eyes underwater, and when you get out of the pool, your skin feels smoothers and softer.

Saltwater pools also, surprisingly to some, have chlorine in them. In fact, saltwater pool systems produce their own chlorine through the process of electrolysis.

How does a saltwater pool system create chlorine? First, you need to add pool grade salt to the chlorine generator. The generator will then run the salinated water through two electrically charged plates which convert it to chlorine.

Chlorine is necessary to sanitize the pool water, but the chlorine amount produced, is a much lower amount compared to a chlorine pool system because the chlorine is produced at a steady level. This significantly lower level of chlorine results in reduced respiratory issues, no burning swimmers eyes, or awfully strong smells. It also means your swimsuits and towels will last longer.

This explains why saltwater pools are often preferable among people with sensitive skin, allergies or asthma.

What Is A Chlorine Pool

Widely referred to as traditional pools, chlorine pools are named after the most common chemical used to treat the water. Most homeowners prefer having a chlorine pool simply because they are easier to maintain and cheaper to install. Thats why its a popular choice among first-time homeowners who might not want to spend a fortune on installing a pool.

On that note, lets look at the notable advantages of having a chlorine pool.

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The Difference Between Saltwater And Chlorine Pools

The water in traditional chlorine pools must be sampled and balanced with liquid or tablet chlorine. Alkalinity, pH and calcium hardness must be adjusted as well. Saltwater pools require the same chemicals except chlorine, although you may need to shock a saltwater pool once in a while.

Instead of relying on store-bought chlorine, saltwater pools create their own through electrolysis. You add pool grade salt to a chlorine generator. Then the generator runs salty water through two electrically charged plates, converting it to chlorine. The pool water is still sanitized with chlorine, but the process differs from that of a traditional chlorine pool.

Although each style of pool is sanitized with the same substance, the chlorine in a saltwater pool may be different than what youre used to experiencing. According to In the Swim, saltwater chlorine generation results in fewer chloramines, which are the real culprit of the feeling and smell often associated with traditional chlorine pools.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention explains, chloramines are a type of combined chlorine that form in water and emit gas into the surrounding air. They cause the well-known chlorine smell, eye redness and, sometimes, respiratory irritation.

How Does A Chlorine Pool Work

Chlorine is actually a blanket term for about five different chemical compounds: dichlor, trichlor, sodium hypochlorite, lithium hypochlorite, and calcium hypochlorite. And these compounds come in different forms, at different price points, and even differ when it comes to whether or not the sun renders them totally ineffective.

As long as its complemented with pool stabilizer, all chlorine works the same. It is added to your pool manually or using a chlorine feeder, and it neutralizes microscopic bacteria and debris. In that process, it creates what are called chloramines, which emit gas, create that chlorine smell, and introduce irritation to swimmer bodies, including the respiratory system. In order to create a healthy, less irritating environment for swimmers, chloramines must be blasted out with pool shock at least once a week.

Its those chloramines, not chlorine, that are responsible for that post-swim chlorine feeling.

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Saltwater Pools Are More Gentle On Your Body

If youre wondering whether chlorine or saltwater additives are better for your body, then you should consider installing a saltwater pool. The chemicals in a chlorine pool can be harsh on a swimmers skin and eyes, which will cause them to dry out and become irritated respectively. Also, you wont have to smell like chlorine after getting out of a saltwater pool, making it the option that smells more palatable overall.

Saltwater Vs Chlorine Pool

When deciding between these two pool types, there are some key factors you need to consider to understand how they stack up against each other, and here are the main ones.

1. Cost

When it comes to the cost, you will need to consider the initial investment when setting up the pool and the ongoing costs, such as how much you will spend on maintenance.

The initial cost of setting up a saltwater pool is often much higher as the salt generator alone can cost upwards of $1,800. However, the maintenance costs are much lower because salt is cheaper than chlorine. You will hardly ever spend more than $100 per year buying salt and chemicals for your saltwater pool.

Chlorine pools are cheaper to set up as there is no extra or special fixture that you need to buy. However, you should expect to spend up to $800 or more on chlorine and other chemicals like pool stabilizers if you own a chlorine pool.

2. Salt and Chlorine levels

Saltwater pools will have very little chlorine because instead of adding a large amount of it, they will continuously add small doses to clean water.

Also, despite what the name might imply, their salinity levels are not that high as they are around one-tenth of ocean water .

Chlorine pools have lots of chlorine, as it is crucial for keeping them clean and sanitized. Maintaining the levels between 1 and 3 ppm is recommended to ensure safety.

3. Safety

4. Maintenance

5. Others

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Salt Water Pool Vs Chlorine Pool: Whats The Difference In Terms Of Maintenance Cost And Practicality Find Out Here

Did you know that 10.4 million householdsin the US have pools in their backyards? Are you thinking of joining them?

If youre considering installing a pool, you will have some choices to make, like whether you want a saltwater pool vs. a chlorine pool. To learn the differences in terms of maintenance, cost, and practicality, keep reading. Well break it all down for you.

Salt Water Vs Chlorinated Water: Whats Better For Above Ground Pools

Above-ground pools are a low-cost and popular option amongst families everywhere. If youre looking to beat the Texas heat, our high-quality pools will do the trick. There are plenty of choices available to you.

You may be considering a chlorine or saltwater system for your above-ground pool. But whats the difference? Is saltwater or chlorinated water better for above-ground pools? How can you make the best choice for yourself and your family?

Lets explore the pros and cons of saltwater vs. chlorinated water. Well also explore what other factors you should consider before making a decision.

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Other Issues To Keep In Mind

Saltwater pools can be more difficult to self-manage and may require the help of a professional to resolve any issues, such as knowing what the right balance of chemicals is required.

Also of importance is checking the saltwater generator cells. These need to be inspected and cleaned about 4 times a year.

Pros To A Saltwater Pool

While a saltwater pool is more expensive to install, there are a variety of benefits that come along with the extra investment.

• Salt water pools rely on lower levels of chlorine therefore, it is easier on your skin, hair, and eyes. This makes it an excellent option for people who use the pool on a daily basis, such as kids or athletes.
• While the chlorine levels in a saltwater pool are effective, they are not strong enough to fade swim clothes or pool equipment.
• Less harsh on pool deck paint and other materials
• Self-maintaining system, which means less work on your behalf

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More Natural And Cost

The initial cost of putting salt water in is not very high. Although the saltwater chlorine generator system isn’t cheap, the cost will definitely be offset by the time you save maintaining your pool.

Moreover, the sodium chloride is applied only once, and it recycles and lasts for a long time before adding more salt.

Sodium chloride, the same stuff you use on the table, is cheaper and locally available than all that chlorine bleach you use in the traditional pool.

Is There A Better Choice

Theres no one-size-fits-all answer when it comes to picking between a traditional chlorine and saltwater pool. Saltwater pools require less maintenance and dont have as many chemicals in the water, but chlorine pools tend to be more cost-effective and convenient. Ultimately, youve just got to weigh the pros and cons of each and determine which is the better choice for your circumstances.

Questions? Shoot me a message, and Ill be happy to help.

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Salt Pools: The Truth About Salt Generated Chlorine

Given the popularity of salt chlorine generators in residential and commercial pools, it is appropriate to share some valuable information for saltwater pool owners/operators, or those considering making the switch to salt.

We spoke with two swim school owners who are considering switching from liquid chlorine to salt. Their reasoning is due to the competitive nature of the swim school businesspotential customers ask them if their pool is chlorinated because they seem to prefer their kids swim in a salt pool. Those same parents genuinely believe that saltwater means there is no chlorine in the water a belief that, while incorrect, is widespread.

Perhaps the myth that salt pools have no chlorine in them comes from the idea that you don’t need to add chlorine to a salt pool. But the truth is, yes, salt pools ARE chlorine pools.

Disclosure: Orenda does not produce/sell/distribute salt, chlorine, or any other type of sanitizer. Orenda products work with any type of sanitizer available on the market today, including saltwater. That being said, the health of pool users matters to us, as well as the sanity of pool operators. This article is meant to be informative about the facts, pros and cons of saltwater treatment.

Wrapping Up The Saltwater Vs Chlorine Debate:

There is no obvious champion when you look into each kind of pool everything relies upon the how much maintenance you are willing to put in and general utilization of the pool. While saltwater pools dont utilize any noteworthy chemicals, chlorine is a result of the salt you add to the water. Be that as it may, the levels are much lower and wont hurt or sting your eyes. Saltwater pools are significantly more secure for pets, creatures and your family in light of the fact that there are far less harmful chemicals being added to the water. Using saltwater for your pool is a more typical approach and is more gentle on the skin and hair than chlorine. Additionally, a saltwater pool wont blur or harm your bathing suit as much as a chlorinated pool. But at the end of the day it is your choice and preference. Contact Seaway Pools about our pool installation options in Toronto with your choice of chlorine or saltwater. Visit our website at www.seawaypoolsntubs.com or call us at 905-294-8030.

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A Salt Water Pool Still Uses Chlorine

Wait, what? Yes, a salt water pool still uses chlorine to help keep your pool clean. The difference is that instead of adding chlorine tablets or liquid chlorine, a salt water pool uses whats called a salt chlorine generator to turn salt into chlorine.

You can use a salt chlorine generator in a fiberglass pool and a concrete pool, as long as the concrete pool is tile lined.

The Pros And Cons Of Saltwater Pools

Hazardous to handle and store, chlorine can irritate the skin and the eyes. Its no wonder, then, that many people opt for saltwater pools, which offer some advantages over traditionally chlorinated swimming pools. Saltwater pools do have some downsides you need to consider before purchasing one, however. To decide which type of pool might be right for you, consider the pros and cons of each.

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