How a Salt Water Pool Damages Equipment and the Environment
Most people buy salt water pool systems in order to reduce operation costs. They quickly they
discover that salt water pools are usually in the end not much cheaper then chlorinated pools. A
large part of this cost is associated with the damage to both equipment and the environment.
Equipment
Salt is corrosive. Everyone knows that. It seems though that people are always surprised by the
fact that salt water pools must deal with corrosion. Any parts that are constantly exposed to salt
water will have to deal with corrosion at some point. Replacement of these parts is not cheap and
usually requires the work of a professional. The most common parts that need replacement are
the gears and part of pumps. While they are stainless steel and are meant to repel rust, people
often discover that in just a few short years, impellers and gears are corroded. This is largely due
to the salt water.
Calcium deposits are also an issue that must be faced. Since most water contains higher
amounts of calcium then a salt water system can deal with. Additional chemicals are needed to
keep calcium from building up on surfaces. Calcium also builds up on the chlorine generators
eventually rendering them useless. Constant maintenance is needed. This can add up to higher
then normal pool maintenance fees or your free time if you are doing it yourself.
Vinyl pool liner and pool covers can also have their lifespans drastically reduced by the use of
both chlorine and salt. The same goes with pool furniture. Constant splashing and exposure to
the salt and chlorine will require regular replacement.
Most salt water installers refuse to work with natural stone because of the harsh effects from
exposure to salt water. In just a few short years, beautifully cut limestone can be transformed into
jagged and discolored slabs of rock. Since this is the most commonly used stone around pools it
has become an issue for many.
Environment
Salt water pools also affect the environment in many ways. First of all consider the amount of
electricity required to run a chlorine generator 24 hours a day. Many sources will tell you that you
do not need to run your generator unit all day, but the amount of chlorine actually created by the
process requires constant electricity. Large amounts of electricity are passed through the cells
and so are anything but cost effective. Some owners have been very surprised by how much
more their electricity bill is once they have started operating a salt water system.
Many owners are also starting to find that backwash from salt water pools is actually illegal.
Constant exposure to salt water will sterilize your soil. Increased sodium will keep all plant life from
being able to root. The salt water pool that should have accented your garden may now be
responsible for killing it.
Salt Water Pool Info - Algae in a Salt Water Pool - Problems - Pool Chemistry - Cost - Damage to Pool Equipment