A swimming pool can be a valuable improvement for many homeowners. In addition to positively impacting resale value, a pool can add more fun to a backyard recreational space. There are other wonderful benefits too! For example the cool water can offer much-needed relief from the heat on a hot summer day. Also, during special occasions, like a dinner party, the sparkling water adds nice ambiance.
There used to be a time when the only choices a homeowner had was the size and shape of their pool. Today, you now have the choice between chlorination or a saltwater swimming pool.
A large misconception about saltwater pools is they are like the ocean. However, “saltwater” is not “seawater”. The water in a salt pool does not look, smell or taste different from that in a traditional pool, and chlorine is used in both systems. Fort Lauderdale homeowners who are considering a saltwater swimming pool should consider the few distinct differences between chemical chlorine and saltwater pools.
Saltwater pools continuously monitor themselves to insure the chlorine level is sufficient to control microorganisms and sanitize the water. Many systems will automatically start the pool pump to infuse more chlorine if the chlorine level drops. That means less time testing and maintaining the water than is generally required by a freshwater chlorine system.
Sunlight depletes the chorine in any body of water. Chemicals used for traditional freshwater chlorination include cyanurates, which slow the photochemical reduction to keep a pool disinfected more effectively. Saltwater pools do not rely on these added chemicals – they have chlorinators (called ‘salt cells’) that use electrolysis to break down the salt to produce the same effect. So the pool pump must operate more frequently, with higher energy costs as a result.
The absence of chemical compounds is a side benefit with saltwater systems. They operate with a lower chlorine content than do traditional pools, so they are easier on the eyes and skin of swimmers. Though homeowners must purchase salt, it’s an additive that is a good deal less expensive than the liquid or solid chlorine additives used in traditional pools, and it’s applied less frequently.
We advise all homeowner thinking about making an improvement to consider their return on their investment. Fort Lauderdale homes for sale with swimming pools are often considered a plus, especially those with a saltwater swimming pool. Be sure to weigh all costs before settling on your final decision. If you are considering any value-building improvement to your home and would like to discuss potential real estate implications, contact us!
