Pool

Salt Water Pools: A Brief Guide

Expert landscape architects often suggest introducing a swimming pool, a combination of function and aesthetics, into your yard. But the latest pool designs have more to offer than fascinating shapes and edgy colors.

The latest pool trend is saltwater.

Where Does The Salt Come From?

First things first, a saltwater pool is not filled with seawater. The salt to water ratio is a tenth of what it is in the ocean. The mineral content comes from filtration systems called salt chlorine generators.

What’s The Difference Between A Saltwater Pool And A Regular Pool?

Perfect Pools of VA advocates that swimming is an excellent practice for your physical and mental health. But repeated exposure to chlorine isn’t the best thing for the human body.

Saltwater pools have been branded as a trendy and high-end alternative to chlorinated pools. The public perception is that the salt’s natural cleaning properties are a healthier alternative to chemical cleaning provided by chlorine.

However, these pools are not a hundred percent chlorine-free. They contain a much smaller amount, so they may not be the alternative for people with chlorine allergies.

group of women sitting near swimming pool

The quantity is lower since it’s not added in tablet form, but it is produced by the filtration system. They don’t give off the same smell as chlorinated pools, which many people find bothersome. The best pool contractors should have experience installing these systems.

The appeal behind them stems from the absence, or near absence, of chlorine.

If I Want To Install One, What Do I Need To Know?

At present, swimming in these pools is considered a luxury experience. They are more commonly found in commercial areas like hotels, spas, and resorts, than in homes. However, due to their rising popularity, many are now looking into having them installed as a bold addition to their outdoor living space.

If you think these pools may be exactly what your home needs to complete your landscape, find out what to expect. The chemical composition of the water is not the only distinction between salt and chlorine swimming pools.

The Cost

As you may have guessed, like all things trendy, saltwater pools are expensive. Not because of the structure but because of the filtration system. As mentioned, they have a special filtration system that turns salt into chlorine, which cleans the pool.

The Cleaning

The filtration system regulates the pool’s sanitation, so you will save on chlorine tablets. While you will still need to monitor the pH weekly, they are easier to maintain.

The Benefits for Swimmers

Chlorine has many negative effects on one’s clothes and appearance. Almost all of them are reduced when swimming in a saltwater pool.

girl in white shirt sitting on brown concrete stair

Superficial benefits

  • People have reported instances of their hair turning an unpleasant green color after frequent swims in chlorinated pools.
  • It has also been said that over time, swimsuits appear bleached, and the chlorine smell starts to linger.
  • Many people avoid swimming because the chemicals damage their hair and skin.

Health Benefits

Some of how saltwater pools can be safer than chlorinated pools are as follows:

  • Inhaling chlorine can irritate the lungs. While the amount in pools is generally safe, people with asthma or allergies can experience shortness of breath when swimming or when in proximity to the pool.
  • A study found that children who regularly swam in indoor chlorinated pools (where fumes were trapped) were more likely to develop asthma. This will not be a problem with the minimal chlorine in saltwater pools.
  • Chlorine also makes eyes dry and itchy. In fact, people who have had their vision restored with laser eye surgery are not meant to swim in chlorinated pools without eye protection.

Myths Surrounding Saltwater Pools

Everything that gains popularity as quickly as saltwater pools comes with its own set of myths.

brown short coated dog in blue inflatable pool during daytime

Saltwater Pools Burn More Calories than Regular Pools

This is not true at all. Doing twenty laps in a salt pool and a chlorinated pool will burn the same amount of calories. However, due to the reduction of harsh chemical effects, it’s not unlikely that homeowners with saltwater pools will have fewer hang-ups about regular dips.

Swimming more frequently, which one may do in a saltwater pool, will lead to faster weight loss.

Animals Can’t Swim in Saltwater Pools

Saltwater pools are safer for pets and children than chlorinated pools. However, humans and animals should avoid swallowing too much water in either.

Considerations

Your pool walls and floor may erode over time. However, with regular checks from expert pool builders, and a pool built specifically to hold salt water, pool owners should be able to avoid this.

At the time of installation, it is also best if you ask a professional pool designer to help you ensure that your pool will be able to hold saltwater.

The best pool contractors will always be willing to help you map out a maintenance plan when you first decide on the kind of poolscape you’re going for. The alkalinity and salt levels need to be kept within a safe range. The chlorine generator will also have to be cleaned every few months to siphon off the layers of residue.

people in swimming pool

Since proper upkeep is necessary for a regular pool as well, it shouldn’t be particularly tedious for an experienced pool owner. Along with that, the planning, the designing, and the upkeep can all be taken care of for you by expert pool contractors. For a pool like this, you must put the upkeep in the hands of someone who will take the time to get it right.

Perfect Pools is trusted by their clients because they are not just pool builders. Their team includes outdoor living space designers who stay current with the latest pool designs, landscape architects, and experienced pool contractors. They make sure that they recommend the right swimming pool for your home and your family.

Furthermore, they go the extra mile by inviting customers to use their client portal so that they may engage at every stage and make sure that the end product is, in fact, the stuff of dreams.

If you’d like a free consult or an expert pool designer’s advice, call 571 267 7488.