When summer approaches, is there anything better than jumping into your
backyard pool? If you are considering installing a pool, you'll have to decide whether or not you'd like your backyard oasis to be a salt water pool or a chlorine pool. Both have their advantages and disadvantages, so keep reading to find out more before you take the plunge.
Salt water pools
Salt water pools use dissolved salt instead of chlorine tablets to cleanse and sanitize the pool water. It's important to note that despite their name,
salt water pools still have chlorine in them. The chlorine
comes from the salt (created by a salt water chlorinator or salt water generator).
So instead of the pool owner adding chlorine to the pool, the pool (kind of) creates its own chlorine.
The pool owner has to maintain the pH levels of the water on a regular basis -- a proper salt-to-water ratio must be maintained. The amount of salt the pool owner adds weekly will depend on rainfall, back-washing and water loss because of splashing and/or draining of the pool.
Advantages:A major benefit of a salt water pool is the convenience and constant delivery of the pure chlorine-based sanitizer. This sanitizer is less irritating than traditional chlorinating methods because the chlorine generator process softens the water, which reduces the drying, itching and red-eye that regular pool chlorine creates
Salt water pools are also cheaper to maintain throughout the year because the salt cell (for the generator) is much less expensive than chlorine.
Disadvantages:The initial cost is higher and the cost of the replacement salt cells should be considered.
Traditional chlorine pools
Chlorine is a convenient and economical way to sanitize swimming pools. It also leaves behind a residual level of sanitizer in the water. Chlorine is a fast-acting and effective algaecide that keeps the walls and bottom of the pool clean.
Advantages:Other sanitizing treatments can kill bacteria that is already in the pool at the time of treatment, but chlorine will continuously kill bacteria -- old and new once the water has been treated. Chlorine pools are also easy to operate and pool owners often feel better about
maintenance because chlorine products are easy to find. Chlorine pools clear up faster when there is bacteria present or if the pH levels are off.
Disadvantages: While chlorine products are easy to find, there is a list of maintenance tasks that come along with your pool installation. It is recommended that you bring a sample of your pool water to the pool supply store to get a list of the chemicals you'll need to keep the water clean and safe. It can be expensive if your pool needs a lot of work to maintain, and you will be spending money each month on supplies to keep your pool clear.
Now that you have an idea of the different types of pools you can get busy
splashing around in your own backyard!