While a private pool in the garden in the relatively cool north still seems like a form of luxury, in Spain it is sometimes a dire necessity. If you want to beat the heat, you must be able to splash in refreshing water every now and then. However, should you choose saltwater or chlorine for your pool?
And because even ice swimming seems to be a trend now and also good for your health, you may want to continue swimming in the winter. Therefore, a good system to keep your pool clean all year round is indispensable. Due to many advantages, people are increasingly opting for a swimming pool with natural salt instead of chemical chlorine. A saltwater system is a greener option because it is kinder to the environment due to less use of chemicals.
But what exactly are the advantages and disadvantages and can you just switch from chlorine to salt? In this article, we answer some questions about saltwater versus chlorine pools.
Can you switch from a chlorinated to a saltwater pool?
You can certainly convert your chlorine pool into a saltwater pool and enjoy the benefits of salt electrolysis in your own backyard. You can replace the traditional chlorine disinfection system with an advanced salt electrolysis system with relative ease.
How does salt electrolysis work?
Instead of chlorine, salt is added to the bathing water. This is converted to natural chlorine using a salt electrolysis machine. This then disinfects the bathing water. When the chlorine has been used up, it is converted back to salt in the electrolysis. This salt electrolysis is therefore a closed disinfecting system because the salt level always remains the same. Also, evaporation has no influence on salinity. Only occasionally should limited salt be added that was lost in the filter vessel backwash.
What is the electricity consumption at both types of swimming pools?
Saltwater pools do use more electricity than chlorine pools due to the use of a special salt chlorine generator to convert salt into chlorine. Chlorine baths, on the other hand, only require cleaning equipment and a pump that circulates the water in your pool to prevent dirt, bacteria, and algae from multiplying in the water.
What are the benefits of saltwater pools?
Saltwater is better for skin, hair, and eyes. It causes less irritation and swimwear, wetsuits and toys last longer. With saltwater, you also get rid of the penetrating chlorine smell. The water in a salt bath feels softer compared to chlorinated water. A saltwater pool also requires less maintenance. Maintenance is also simpler. This results in lower maintenance costs. Simply add salt and the salt chlorinator does the rest.
What are the disadvantages of saltwater pools?
You should store larger amounts of salt and regularly add hydrochloric acid to the pool water. Just like a chlorine pool, your water’s pH levels need to be monitored continuously. If you have problems with the generator or the pool system, you need help from a professional more than with the system in a chlorine pool. The installation of a saltwater pool is also a lot more expensive. Salt electrolysis equipment is not cheap. Another disadvantage of a saltwater pool is that the salt can cause sooting on iron or aluminium parts.
Is it worth buying a saltwater pool?
For most people, the big selling point for saltwater pools is the salt! The low-chlorine salt water is better for the hair, skin and eyes of the swimmers. In addition, it is also less harsh on pool toys and swimwear. So salt water provides a longer life for your accessories.
Can a saltwater pool be heated?
Saltwater pools can be heated just like freshwater pools. The salt water chlorinator does not affect heaters, so you don’t have to worry about this when installing a heater in your pool. The heating units are also set up and installed in the same way as in chlorine baths.
Do saltwater pools get algae?
If you have a saltwater pool, you probably know how big the problem of algae growth can be. Once these organisms infest the pool, they can quickly grow and spread. Both chlorinated and saltwater pools need the right water chemistry to prevent algae growth.
Do saltwater pools dry out your skin?
In general, skin problems are twice as common in chlorinated water than in salt water. In some cases, salt water causes dry and itchy skin, but chlorine can cause irritated skin and sometimes even annoying rashes.
How often should you add salt to a saltwater pool?
Annual booster additions of pool salt are usually required, but only to increase salt Replace that lost through backwashing, splashing, or lowering the water for the winter. When you completely empty the pool for maintenance, you will need to replace all the pool salt.
Is an automatic pool cover also suitable for saltwater pools?
To prevent dirt from entering your pool, the water from cooling down or evaporating too quickly, or for safety reasons, many people choose to cover their pool. This is also possible with automatic pool covers. Of course, covering a chlorine bath works the same as a saltwater bath. Only the material has to be taken into account in a saltwater bath. Salt water in a swimming pool can cause rusting on iron or aluminium parts.
Automatic pool covers from Dekobo
In Spain, you can go to the DeKobo for automatic swimming pool covers with solar slats. This company sells slats made of polycarbonate. That material only deforms at 140ºC, while the more common PVC does that already at 78ºC. Polycarbonate is also impact resistant and can withstand low temperatures. The exclusive quality solar slats are therefore an ideal cover for any swimming pool in any climate. Dekobo offers transparent polycarbonate slats as an interesting alternative for indoor swimming pools.
The black underlayer of the solar slats also prevents algae from forming in the pool because the solar slats do not allow sunlight to pass through. Because less sunlight enters the pool, chlorine cannot evaporate. This reduces the use of chemicals by up to 68%. For a swimming pool of 4 by 8 metres, a cover means that you need 56,000 litres of water less per year. Moreover, heating a swimming pool without a cover is actually irresponsible; you are firing with the doors open, as it were!
Dekobo’s automatic pool covers can withstand saltwater pools as long as the pH values are between 7.2 and 7.6.
Want to know more? Have a look at http://www.dekobo.es/en/
