The content of this article mainly pertains to residential swimming pools. The benefits of salt are universal.
There is so much to like about swimming pools. For one, it gives us a much-desired respite from the heat. For another, it provides us the chance to indulge in swimming lap after lap, which is probably the most fun way of working out. Most importantly, swimming pools allow us to bond with friends and family and have a great time together.
There is, however, one thing that most people don’t like about swimming pools: the smell of chlorine. While most of us understand how adding chlorine to pool water is necessary to fight off pathogens and keep it sanitary, the smell can be a lot to take, particularly when there’s too much of it in the water.
Sometimes, the smell is so strong your nose can pick it up even when you’re out of it and a few yards away. The next thing you know, you have a headache directly caused by the inhalation of the offensive fumes. Add to that the inconvenience of the smell lingering on your hair and skin, and you will probably want to steer clear of chlorine pools for a while.
It’s just a good thing there is now an alternative to chlorine as a primary means of sanitizing a swimming pool: the salt chlorine generator. With the help of this technology, we now have the salt water pool, which brings a lot of benefits to the table.
If you have a swimming pool and you’re thinking about making the switch from chlorine pool to salt water pool, here are some reasons that should help you come to that decision.
A salt water pool is safer
Let’s get one thing straight first: salt water pools still rely on chlorine to disinfect the water. The difference is that the salt chlorine generator does exactly what its name implies: generate chlorine from salt.
Salt water pools produce their own chlorine through electrolysis. Adding sodium chloride or salt to the pool begins the process. The salt-infused water then passes through the chlorine generator cell, wherein an electrical discharge triggers the conversion of the salt in the water into chlorine.
Why is this safer? Using commercially-available chlorine for pools requires storage, and storing a raw, dangerous chemical like chlorine is inherently risky because it might leak. Chlorine also loses its effectiveness when stored for long periods of time.
Prolonged exposure to the waters of a swimming pool that has high levels of chlorine may also increase our risk of heart disease, or even rectal and bladder cancer.
A salt water pool is gentler on the skin
Have you ever felt itchy after spending some time in a chlorine pool? If so, then you’re feeling your skin’s natural reaction to the harshness of the chlorine itself. Aside from itchiness, chlorine can also leave your skin dry long after you’ve left the pool.
While salt water pools also contain chlorine, the levels created by the generator are so much lower. With reduced chlorine levels and the salt itself, many swimmers claim that the water has a silkier feel to it and doesn’t cause itching or dry skin. And even though it’s just as effective as regular chlorine when it comes to sanitization, it doesn’t irritate the eyes.
Less frequent and costly maintenance
While you will still need to monitor chlorine pH levels on a weekly basis, salt water pools don’t require as much maintenance as regular chlorine pools because it runs on a system that produces its own chlorine. You won’t have to spend a lot of time adding chemicals to the water and waiting for certain levels to subside before anyone can use the pool.
So, are you ready to make the change to a salt water pool?
About The Author
Alexis Reed is the Content Specialist of H2O Pool Service, a family-owned Phoenix pool company that cleans, services, and repairs residential and commercial pools throughout Arizona. She enjoys hiking and camping with her family and friends.