A saltwater swimming pool is a fun and exciting addition when designing your dream backyard oasis. You may have the pool size and shape all figured out, but one question still circulates in your mind: Is it worth it? We’ll help you get a clear answer by examining the pros and cons of a saltwater pool.
Saltwater pools have garnered more attention over the years, with some homeowners even converting their current chlorine pool into a saltwater system. They may have grown tired of the chlorine smell. Before diving any deeper, we should address one misconception.
Saltwater pools are chlorinated, but what distinguishes them from conventional pools is the salt chlorine generator. You only need to add pool salt once or twice a year, and the chlorine generator will take care of the rest. We’ll cover the generator’s function later on. The key point is that you don’t need to physically add chlorine and other chemicals to a saltwater pool.
The following section will get right into the advantages and disadvantages of saltwater pools.
Pros of a Saltwater Pool
When investing in home projects such as pools, it’s important to know whether the pros outweigh the cons. Some ideas may end up being expensive with little to no return on your investment. Saltwater pools have a lot of positive attributes, such as little maintenance requirements, but they’re certainly not perfect.
Before discussing the cons, let’s go through the reasons why homeowners choose saltwater pools.
✓ Low Annual Chlorine Costs
Once your saltwater pool is up and running, you won’t need to spend as much money on chlorine. This type of pool has stable levels of saltwater chlorine that keep algae at bay, which means the only time you’ll need to add chlorine is when you shock the pool.
In short, fewer chlorine products generally leads to lower pool maintenance costs. Salt is also much more affordable than chlorine.
✓ Gentle on Your Body
You can enjoy longer swims in saltwater systems due to the silky-soft water, quite similar to swimming in fresh lake water. Saltwater pools are appreciated for being gentle on the hair, eyes, and skin. You won’t have to worry about burning eyes or dried-out skin once you’re done swimming. As a bonus, salt water is also gentle on your swimsuit!
Some recent studies claim that salt water has effective properties that may benefit various skin types and conditions like acne and eczema. However, it’s important to note that there has been no conclusive research to support this. You should not refrain from consulting a medical professional if you suffer from any skin disease or condition.
✓ Better for Indoor Pool Systems
Most of us prefer outdoor pools so that we may soak up the sun and enjoy the fresh air, but some homeowners prefer indoor pools to enjoy year-round. Saltwater pools are much better for indoor use than traditional chlorine pools. You won’t have to deal with the pungent smell of chlorine, but that’s not all there is to it.
If the indoor pool is a chlorinated (traditional) system, it may lead to some health issues.
When chlorine binds to body waste that swimmers bring into pools (e.g. sweat), it can form chloramines in the water. Chloramines can irritate the skin and respiratory tract when they release gas into the air above the water surface.
With indoor pools, the lack of fresh air across the water’s surface can lead to the buildup of chloramines. The chloramines from the pool will pollute the air in the swimming area, causing discomfort to the swimmer.
✓ No Pool Smell
As mentioned above, the smell of chlorine pools can be unbearable after several hours (although, some swimmers actually enjoy it). Despite saltwater pools containing chlorine, it is not the same as pouring chlorine tablets or granules with traditional pools. The salt chlorine generator releases stable levels of chlorine into the water, which means fewer chloramines and no nasty smell.
✓ Pool Salt is Easily Accessible
You can easily find and purchase bags of salt for your swimming pool. You can head to a pool supply store in your area, or to the nearest retail store such as Walmart or Home Depot. Continuous trips to such stores are not a concern, as you’ll only need to apply salt once or twice a year!
Busy working on your tan? You can even purchase salt bags online and have them delivered without breaking a sweat.
✓ Handle Chlorine Less Often
Saltwater pools do not require routine chlorine granules or tablets, so you won’t need to worry about handling these harmful products as often. The only time you’ll need to add chlorine to your saltwater pool is if you choose to use chlorinated pool shock.
Less chlorine applications also means storing less chlorine on your property.
As for other chemicals, such as algaecide, saltwater pools do not require them as regularly as chlorine pools. Algaecide will come in handy once your clear water starts turning green, so don’t discard it completely.
Cons of Saltwater Pools
Saltwater pools have several drawbacks that may or may not discourage you from installing one. We feel it is important to explore all of them to ease your decision-making process.
✗ High Up-Front Cost
Converting your current traditional pool to a saltwater system will cost between $500 and $2,110. On the other hand, installing a new saltwater one can be quite expensive. The average installation price of a saltwater pool is $37,315, with a typical range of $25,375 to $64,060.
Several factors affect the overall cost, such as the pool size and material. Saltwater pool installation generally costs more than traditional chlorine pools.
✗ Serious Repairs Require Expert Technicians
The salt chlorine generator is a complex component of a saltwater pool. If there are any issues with the generator, you’ll need to hire expert technicians to get it fixed. This is not a DIY-friendly task, unless you’re an expert yourself.
On top of that, salt cells in the generator must be removed, inspected, and cleaned once every season. This is a detail-oriented process that also requires a professional. No DIY means you’ll have to cover both the replacement and labor costs.
✗ Salt Corrodes Metal and Other Pool Components
Pool liners, metal components, even natural landscaping near your saltwater pool may erode with too much exposure to salt. Fixing such an issue or replacing pool equipment will cost you money.
Fiberglass pools are typically safe from saltwater corrosion due to their anti-porous properties. Unlike vinyl pools, fiberglass is a popular material for saltwater systems and is compatible with salt chlorine generators. If your pool is made of another material, consider purchasing salt-friendly pool accessories.
✗ High Electricity Bill
If you choose to install a saltwater pool, you’ll need to use more electricity than chlorine pools to keep the salt chlorine generator running. If you live in colder climates, the chlorine production may be affected if the water temperature falls below 60 degrees Fahrenheit. This may force some pool owners to add a pool heater, further raising the cost of electricity.
✗ Bulk Salt is Difficult to Store
To start up your new saltwater pool, you’ll need to purchase hundreds of pounds of salt to get the required salinity level. You’ll need to have enough space on your property to store and move such amounts of salt.
What Is a Salt Chlorine Generator?
This pool generator came up several times throughout the article, so it’s about time we describe its role and purpose.
The salt chlorine generator is arguably the most important component of a saltwater pool. It does the job of pool chemicals and keeps the pool water clean. Essentially, the salt generator makes hypochlorous acid (HCIO) by using sodium chloride and the process of electrolysis.
If this sounds like gibberish, here’s a simplified summary of the chlorinator’s function:
- Salt is added directly to the swimming pool
- Pool water gets drawn into the generator
- Water passes through the salt cell
- Process of electrolysis takes place (splits salt molecules)
- Water that leaves the generator is chlorinated
With this consistent process, there will be no spikes in chlorine levels. This makes saltwater pools a much better alternative for swimmers who may be irritated by traditional pools.
How Much Does Pool Salt Cost?
The amount of salt you’ll need to purchase depends on the size of your swimming pool. An average 40-lb bag of salt is $11, but may vary depending on the brand. Annually, you can expect to pay between $100 and $400 on salt for your pool.
Here’s a chart with the estimated cost of salt based on the pool size:
| Pool Size (gallons) | Estimated Cost |
| 8,000 | $70 – $150 |
| 10,000 | $85 – $175 |
| 12,000 | $100 – $200 |
| 14,000 | $120 – $250 |
| 16,000 | $135 – $275 |
How to Maintain a Saltwater Pool
The maintenance for saltwater pools generally costs less than traditional pools. To keep an optimum salinity level in the pool, you may need to add salt bags a couple of times a year. On occasion, you will need to test the pH levels to keep it between 7.2 and 7.8.
It is recommended to hire pool experts once a year to check on the salt chlorine generator. As for the salt cells, they need replacing every 5 to 7 years due to calcium buildup. Unless you know what you’re doing, hire pool pros for a salt cell replacement.
| Service | Average Cost |
| Professional Saltwater Pool Maintenance (annual) | $1,065 – $1,800 |
| Salt Cell Replacement | $275 – $750 |
Saltwater Pool vs. Chlorine Pool
The following table will highlight the key differences between the two pool systems, helping you get a sense of why homeowners chose one over the other.
| Saltwater Pool | Traditional Chlorine Pool |
| High initial cost | Lower installation cost |
| Lower maintenance requirements | Requires more pool chemicals and regular check on chlorine content |
| Bulk salt is difficult to store | Chlorine granules/tablets don’t take up as much space |
| Higher energy consumption due to salt chlorine generator (and pool heater in cold climates) | It only requires a pool pump which consumes less electricity |
| Will corrode metal components, unsuited for vinyl pools | Better suited for all pool materials |
| Repairing salt chlorine generator requires expert technicians | Most repairs are DIY-friendly |
| Gentler on the hair, skin, and eyes | Chlorinated water and pool chemicals may irritate skin and cause allergies |
| Only requires pool salt (no routine chlorine applications) | You’ll need to regularly purchase chlorine granules and pool chemicals |
FAQ About Saltwater Pools
Saltwater pools are safe for pets, particularly dogs. As long as dogs have a main source of fresh drinking water, the occasional sip of salt water shouldn’t cause them any harm.
Yes, saltwater in-ground pools can increase your home’s value. Several factors affect the increase in your home value, particularly the region in which you live. Warm climates like Texas allow for a longer swimming season. Your pool shape and size are other factors that can affect the value increase.
Saltwater pools have an average salinity of 3,000 ppm (parts per million). Oceans have a salinity level that is 10 times higher than that of saltwater pools, at about 35,000 ppm.
Eager For a Swim? Hire a Pool Expert
Swimming can be a fun leisure activity with your family and friends, or a means to get in shape. Saltwater pools have become popular over the years, and we’ve covered the reasons why. Despite that, drawbacks of salt systems, such as the high initial cost, may set some homeowners off, and encourage them to lean towards chlorine pools.
If you crave that soft, freshwater feel and seek a pool with low maintenance requirements, then a saltwater system is a good investment. Chlorine systems may cost lower at first, but you’ll regularly need to add pool chemicals and chlorine tablets to maintain it.
Connecting the salt chlorine generator and getting the salt system running is not a DIY task. Whether you’re installing a new system or converting your traditional pool, hire a local professional pool company to get the job done.
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