The US is in the midst of a “pandemic pool boom,” referring to the record number of new in-ground residential pools constructed during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Unable to move around safely, people needed a new outlet for recreation that was much closer to home. This led to a 21 percent increase in in-ground pool construction from 2019 to 2020.
A more accessible option for recreation wasn’t the only result of the increased demand for residential pools, however. The US is consequently suffering from a shortage of chlorine, a solution used to clean pools, and prices are up by more than 50%.
If you’re a pool owner trying to work around the chlorine shortage, one option to consider is saltwater pool conversion. A saltwater pool generates its own chlorine, which lets you bypass the shortage problem and lower your maintenance costs at the same time.
Weber Pools, a residential pool services provider in Dallas, shares three benefits of saltwater pools if you’re still on the fence about converting.
1. More comfortable swimming experience
Swimming in chlorine pools can cause skin and eye irritation, asthma attacks, and allergic reactions. When ingested, chlorinated water can also cause stomach problems.
In comparison, saltwater pools are significantly gentler than traditional pools because they contain less chlorine. They’re gentler on your skin and hair, which gives you a more comfortable swimming experience. Opening your eyes underwater will not sting the way it would if you were to do it in a chlorinated pool.
2. Easier maintenance
A saltwater pool is much easier to maintain than a chlorinated pool. The pool system converts the salt into chlorine, so you don’t have to manually chlorinate your pool every two weeks. This also means you no longer need to store chlorine in your home. This is a huge burden off your shoulders since chlorine is highly corrosive, which makes it dangerous to children and pets on top of the storage difficulties.
Take note, however, that although they’re easier to maintain, saltwater pools still require regular upkeep. You need to check the pH and alkalinity levels and clean the filter weekly to make sure that the water stays sanitized and chemically balanced.
3. Lower costs
Many pool owners are wary of switching to a saltwater system because of its installation costs. However, the minimal maintenance requirements of saltwater pools can give you more cost savings in the long run.
For one, a saltwater pool produces its own chlorine, so you don’t have to keep spending on chlorine. Additionally, it’s much stabler compared to a traditional pool system, so you need fewer chemicals to maintain it. This makes saltwater pools more cost-efficient to have in the long run.
A traditional pool, on the other hand, requires you to keep oxidizers, water balancers, and other specialty pool chemicals on hand to keep it chemically balanced, which contributes to your maintenance expenses.
A tip: Look for salt-resistant pool equipment. Salt can corrode metal components, so choose the right material for your pool equipment to protect them from damage.
If you’re interested in converting your traditional pool to a saltwater pool, Weber Pools is here to guide you. We’re a certified pool operator in Dallas offering a wide range of residential pool services, including saltwater conversion. Our services help you run your pool more efficiently, letting you use it more without having to worry about excessive upkeep costs.
Call us at 214-693-7005 or fill out our online form for an estimate on your saltwater pool systems.