Chlorine vs Salt water condo pools

Started by AlexM1 • 7 replies • 2398 views

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AlexM1
Posts: 286

Posted:

Does anyone have any ideas(from experience, etc.) which is the best(better) pool, a salt water system or a chlorine system. I am thinking of over-all costs and over-all benefits. We presently have a chlorine system but felt that perhaps a salt water
system might be more beneficial. We, however, have NO experience factor(s) from which to draw to make an educated opinion.

SheliaH (Indiana)
Posts: 6,967

Posted:

We don't have a pool anymore (thank goodness!) but I've heard the salt water system is supposed to be better for the environment and some people may be more sensitive to chlorine. Of course, your area of the country may be better for one system vs. the other.

You may want to start by doing an internet search on both systems to gather basic information and then talk to your poor contractor, if you have one. If not, gather information from at least three contractors so you can compare bids at the tame time. Don't forget to get references from other HOAs, some with chlorine systems, others salt water, and talk to them about their experiences. Good luck!

If it is not right do not do it; if it is not true do not say it. Marcus Aurelius

BillH10 (Texas)
Posts: 1,215

Posted:

Alex

I have no experience with commercial applications of salt water pool equipment, our current backyard in-ground pool has salt equipment; the pool at our previous home began as a chlorine pool and was converted to a salt water pool. Based on our residential experience, we prefer salt water pools for the following reasons:

While the salt water pool equipment generates chlorine (you still have to have chlorine) from the salt via an electrolytic process, the strong chlorine smell is not present, although there is a bit of chlorine aroma when the water is very warm, say 93+ degrees (we are in the DFW Metroplex)

our running costs are significantly less--$60+ for a bucket of chlorine tablets vs. an average of $6.00 for a bag of salt

the water is softer and feels better, it is much easier on the eyes

Negatives

I have been told the corrosion of anything metal in the water (ladders, etc.)is more rapid with a salt pool

The salt cells require maintenance, probably annually or even more often for a commercial application

The salt cells are expensive to replace

When conducting the research suggested by Sheila, read carefully to ensure the information you have found pertains to commercial and not residential applications. Our pool is used mostly by two adults. A HOA pool will be used by many more people, it is imperative to keep the chemicals balanced for the swimming load.

CyrstalB
Posts: 452

Posted:

We found the same to be as Bill did, we love the salt water pool over chlorine, but we did have to replace the cell after five seasons. The key would be commercial vs residential and the costs etc over a extended period of time and as well, what type of water you have. The more minerals etc in your water, the worse it can be for a chlorinator and would require cleaning of the cell.

We did not find a problems with corrosive action that Bill found.

BillH10 (Texas)
Posts: 1,215

Posted:

Cyrstal and all, let me clarify--

We have not had problems with metal corrosion in our salt water pools, the only thing metal in our pool is the bezel on the lights and they are just fine. We had a pool for six years in our previous home and observed no corrosion at all. It would not be uncommon for a HOA/commercial pool to have metal ladders, which are not commonly installed on residential pools I have seen in Texas.

I mentioned the corrosion as it was mentioned to me by the company which installed our pool, as well as by an employee at one of the local pool stores.

KellyM3 (North Carolina)
Posts: 2,233

Posted:

Alex,

In a nutshell, you'll add a salt chlorinator unit, which is electricity powered, to your pool pump room. Since a regular chlorine pool doesn't need this unit, your investment is a bit higher (but not "crazy" high). The main pipes in your pump rooms will be fitted with a salt chlorinator "zapper" through which the water flows. The unit is installed inline with the piping and is about the size of the pipe so it's no obstrusive or large. The control unit is mounted to the wall.

The end result is your main pool chemical is water softener salt and not refined chlorine so your chemical costs will truly PLUMMET!

There is a HUGE misconception of salt water pools......that is that your pool will be salt water. It won't!

Your pool professional will dump salt in the pool water - yes, the pool is salty that morning - but the water will flow normally through the pump room, crossing that salt chlorinator. The electrical plates in that chlorinator "zap" the salt molecule, which converts it to chlorine. Interestingly, I think the salt molecule may eventually reform in the water, only to get re-zapped back into chlorine.

You only add more salt because pool users splash water (with the salt in it) out of the pool, physically removing the salt.

KellyM3 (North Carolina)
Posts: 2,233

Posted:

Quote:

Posted By AlexM1 on 09/14/2015 7:26 AM
Does anyone have any ideas(from experience, etc.) which is the best(better) pool, a salt water system or a chlorine system. I am thinking of over-all costs and over-all benefits. We presently have a chlorine system but felt that perhaps a salt water
system might be more beneficial. We, however, have NO experience factor(s) from which to draw to make an educated opinion.

Finally, your users will absolutely LOVE the water "feel" in a salt-water chlorinated pool. It's soft and non-drying to the skin. We've had 100-percent praise for the switch over.

Off-season, we have our pool professional remove the electrical units from the water pipes, by installing a regular pipe section, so winter water doesn't unnecessarily wear down those plates when not in use.

In 2011, we spent about $9,000 on the upgrades for the salt conversion. The equipment consisted of the salt conversion device as well as a "backup" traditional chlorine unit just in case (since we're subject to local water quality, health rules).

Our residents LOVE it.

DouglasK1 (Florida)
Posts: 2,038

Posted:

Quote:

Posted By KellyM3 on 09/25/2015 6:59 AM

You only add more salt because pool users splash water (with the salt in it) out of the pool, physically removing the salt.

Or if it rains a lot, from the water you drain from the pool.

Escaped former treasurer and director of a self managed association.

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