How It Works

• Saltwater swimming pools are quite similar to chlorine pools in terms of function, except saltwater swimming pools must have a chlorine generator to keep algae at bay. The saltwater generator itself turns salt into chlorine, which is equally spread throughout the pool.
  
  

Costs

• Saltwater swimming pools are typically less expensive to maintain than other pools, but the initial cost of converting or installing a saltwater pool is higher than other systems. Also, replacement parts for the saltwater generator is drastically more than that of traditional pools.
  
  

Maintenance

• Maintenance of saltwater pools are drastically less than other pools. Once a week, tests must be conducted to check the alkalinity of the pool in addition to adding salt and or baking soda, which is less than the cost of other chemicals that are used to maintain traditional chlorine pools.
  
  

Advantages

• Unlike other pools that utilize chlorine chemicals, saltwater pools utilize a naturally occurring element that is better for hair, skin and nails. Moreover, maintenance is cost effective and easy to employ.
  
  

Disadvantages

• Just like saltwater from the ocean, saltwater swimming pools pose the same problem. They are extremely corrosive to metal that is near or on the pool itself. Metal parts on diving boards and pool ladders easily will become corroded from the salt. Also as winds blow in, metal pieces on the exterior of the home such as door handles and metal awnings also will become corroded over time, which will not only increase costs in maintenance for the pool, but for also for your home.