Although we often take them for granted, swimming pools remain one of our greatest inventions. These mostly blue-tiled depths of water bring the ocean to us, allowing us to enjoy the pleasure of a swim on our terms. Unfortunately, after a long session at the pool, you may develop some side effects, such as irritated skin and burning eyes as the chlorine starts to seep into your body.
However, while most people believe that these side effects are a necessary price to pay to have a nice swim in their backyard, this could not be further from the case. Various other pool systems will leave your water clean and fresh without shriveling up your skin and flaring your eyes. If you have grown tired of the powerful smell of chloramines and are eager for other alternatives, you may want to try dipping your toes in saltwater pools.
What is a Saltwater Pool System?
To most people, merely thinking about swimming in a pool that they did not douse in chlorine tablets may seem unusual. In some cases, they may suspect that the water is dirty and impure, while others may have become too familiar with the sting of store-bought chlorine. However, there are several alternatives to purifying your pool without this method.
The saltwater system generally relies on using salt to cleanse the water in your pool. This process typically involves using an Electrolytic Chlorine Generator (ECG) to produce chlorine directly from the salt in your water. For this reason, your pool can remain clean and fresh without any chlorine tablets. Additionally, because saltwater pools grab their chlorine naturally from salt, you can avoid the chloramines ultimately responsible for skin irritation and eye burning.
What are the Differences Between a Salt and Chlorine Pool System?
Saltwater Pools Generate Chlorine Through Salt
One of the most common misconceptions about saltwater pools is that they do not contain any chlorine, but this could not be further from the case. However, while these pools still rely on this chemical to disinfect their water and keep them free from germs, there is a critical difference in how they generate chlorine. Saltwater pools create their chlorine directly from salt. This process involves using an ECG to transform the salt in your water into chlorine, acting as a disinfectant for your swimming pool.
Saltwater Pools Produce a Reduced Amount of Chloramines
One of the core differences between a chlorine system and a pool that uses salt water for cleansing is its byproducts. Generally, when you drop store-bought chlorine tablets into your water, it releases a significant level of chloramines. This disinfectant is notorious for the powerful smells, reddened eyes, and mind-bending headaches that most people now associate with a swim. Fortunately, it does not have to be this way. As saltwater systems use an ECG for chlorine generation, only the required amount is released, preventing any significant buildup of chloramines.
What are the Benefits of a Saltwater Pool System?
There are many benefits to a saltwater pool system over a chlorine system. The biggest one, however, is that the water feels much softer. This tenderness on the skin is generally because of the reduced amount of chlorine in the pool, which leads to a more natural swimming experience. Additionally, as saltwater pools only tend to produce a limited amount of chloramines, you should be able to swim freely without battling harsh smells or burning eyes.