Ever gone swimming in a pool and come out with sore, red eyes? Or have you ever wanted to go swimming in hotel, community or friend's pool only to find out it was closed to swimming because the chlorine level was too high?
This is because traditional chlorine systems use a combination of dissolvable chlorine tablets and highly concentrated liquid chlorine to try to maintain the proper chlorine concentration of the pool water. While the tablets are first dissolving the chlorine level can be too high. But as the tablets get smaller, less is dissolved leaving the chlorine level too low. When the chlorine level gets too low, algae starts to grow. Algae is usually treated with concentrated liquid chlorine, which causes the chlorine level to go way up to the point where it will burn swimmers' eyes. This roller coaster ride in the chlorine level can be frustrating, time consuming, and reduce the amount of time you can enjoy your pool.
Fortunately, there are now systems that eliminates the chlorine roller coaster - saltwater chlorination systems. Bags of salt are poured into the system. The salt is dissolved, and the saltwater flows through a cell where a low-voltage direct current is applied. This process, known as electrolysis, converts the saltwater into hydrogen gas and hypochlorous acid. The hydrogen gas leaves the swimming pool water in the form of bubbles. The hypochlorous acid keeps the pool clean.
The advantage of a saltwater system is the chlorine level is controlled electronically, and chlorine levels are able to be kept relatively constant even when there is rain, debris enters the pool or large groups of people using the pool. For most salt water pools, the only chlorine maintenance needed is a few bags of salt poured into the system once or twice a year.
A saltwater system has a higher up-front cost, but it cuts down on the cost of chlorine and also on the time you spend maintaining the pool. It increases the amount of time you and your family can spend swimming in your pool.
To upgrade to a saltwater swimming pool, contact us at Grand Vista Pools today!
