When you are considering getting a pool, you have a big choice to make. Should you go with a chlorine pool, or is a saltwater pool a better fit for you? What are the differences in caring for these types of pools?
Chlorine Pools
You are probably familiar with the upkeep of a chlorine pool. Chlorine kills the bacteria and algae that grow in your pool, which keeps it clean. There are a few types of chlorine you may need if you have this type of pool. Chlorine tablets can be added to a floating pod, called a chlorinator. The chlorinator will dispense the chlorine gradually, which keeps a steady amount of chlorine in the pool.
You may also need shock treatment. You’ll use shock treatment when your pool has had heavy use or a lot of sun. Generally, you may need to shock the pool once every week or two. If your water turns green, this is a sign you need to shock the pool. Pool shock is made from bleach granules. This puts a concentrated amount of bleach into your pool. Over time, the levels get lower and the process is repeated.
You’ll also need to test the water regularly. Chlorine and pH testing should be done at least twice a week, and alkalinity should be tested once a week. If the pH or alkalinity is off, you’ll need to add the correct chemicals to get the pool back into balance. If the chlorine is too high, you’ll need to wait until the levels drop before adding more chlorine. If the levels are below, you’ll shock the pool.
Salt Water System
A salt water system utilizes salt to keep your water clean and sanitary, but not in the way you may expect. A salt pool will not feel like the salty water of the ocean. In fact, the salt is not what keeps the pool clean. Instead, the salt is converted to chlorine in the pool. This system requires less chlorine overall. You don’t have to worry about handling chlorine, which can irritate your skin and lungs if not handled properly.
Salt water systems are much lower maintenance because you’ll only add salt once or twice a year. You’ll need to add salt when opening your pool. You may need to refresh it once during the year. This is much different than chlorine pools, which require adding chlorine at least once a week.
Just like a chlorine pool, you’ll need to check the pH and chlorine levels of your saltwater pool. You’ll do this weekly with a test kit or test strip. You should check your salinity levels at least once a month. Your salt water generator should tell you how much salt is in your water. However, double-checking will ensure that your pool is healthy, and alert you to any potential problems.
If there’s an issue with your pH, you may need to add a pH decreaser or muriatic acid. High salt levels mean that you are running your salt generator for too long. Avoid running it for more than 10 hours in a day.
You should also inspect your salt cell every 3 months. Be sure to remove any build up on the cell. If you can’t remove it by hand, you may need to use muriatic acid to clean the salt cell before replacing it.
Pool Service and Maintenance with Mt. Lake Pool and Patio
No matter what type of pool you choose, you can rely on Mt. Lake Pool and Patio for pool maintenance in Montgomery County, PA. Our services include renovations, pool and heater maintenance, and weekly pool service in Montgomery County, PA. Enjoy your pool, and let us do the hard work.