THE CHEMICAL BREAKDOWN: SALT AND CHLORINE

Although very different systems, there are advantages and disadvantages to both salt and chlorine pools. Here is a breakdown that explains the options you have when building your pool and selecting equipment:

Chlorine

Chlorine pools are the most common type of pools built today. Chlorine filter systems are relatively easy to operate and maintain. In addition, most professional pool supply stores stock chlorine tablets so it’s easy to ensure the proper chemicals are available. How chlorine systems work is that chlorine is added regularly to either a pump unit that circulates your pool water or through a floating disbursement device that has tablets that dissolve over time. Chlorine is added to kill mildew, mold, and bacteria that can grow in your water.

Advantages to chlorine systems:

More efficient at cleaning bacteria
Clears water in 24-48 hours
Easy to operate

Salt

Salt pools use dissolved salt instead of chlorine to maintain clean and balanced pool water. With this type of system, a salt chlorinator unit uses electrolysis to slowly add salt to the water to maintain a consistent salt-water ratio. One thing that’s significantly different from chlorine systems is that salt in the water never disappears like chlorine, so you end up having to add small increments to maintain a properly balanced pool.

Advantages to salt systems:

Larger upfront cost but lower maintenance costs
Less exposure to chemicals when swimming
Safer on skin and hair
Less time-consuming in terms of maintenance
Both water cleaning methods produce great results that end in clear, sparkling pool water that you and your family can enjoy. The decision is mostly up to personal preference and what you feel your pool needs are!