Should I Buy a House With a Saltwater Pool or a Freshwater Pool?

When living in an area that is known for having warm weather year round such as Florida or California, oftentimes you may find a pool on your wishlist while house shopping. Saltwater pools have recently become more popular which has left many of us wondering whether a saltwater pool or a freshwater pool is the better choice.

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When you think of a saltwater pool oftentimes you initially think of having salty ocean water, however, this isn’t the case. While you will definitely notice a taste difference, it is a far lower salt content than traditional saltwater found in the ocean. No burning eyes or salt residue! One highlight of a saltwater pool is the feel of the water. The added salt softens the water and makes it almost feel silky which is a huge selling point when choosing a pool. Another positive is the overall cost of maintaining a saltwater pool, while the start up cost for equipment will be more expensive than a standard chlorinated pool, the upkeep is far less and can save up to $800 annually. Generally speaking, a saltwater pool is gentler on your skin, eyes, clothing and any pool toys or floats that may make their way into the water. The drawbacks of a saltwater pool are the start up costs, generally, start up costs will be around $2,000 for the needed equipment. The next drawback is the risk of corrosion. Due to the salt in the water this can lead to corrosion or leave residue along your pool and pool deck that is often difficult to remove and clean.

A chlorinated freshwater pool is generally speaking the more “common” option that you will find when house hunting. Primarily because up until the last 2-3 years saltwater pools weren’t very common or sought after and many homeowners have yet to make the switch. Freshwater pools are generally more expensive to maintain than a saltwater pool, however, the startup and equipment needed is much less expensive which can in turn balance things out slightly.  A chlorinated pool will have chlorine delivered generally through a chlorine tablet that sanitizes and cleans the pool, and once that dissipates the water is more susceptible to algae. When choosing a chlorinated pool it is vital to make sure that you are adding the needed chlorine on a routine schedule to keep your pool clean and clear. The only drawback of a freshwater pool is truly just the upkeep costs, maintenance and routines that are needed to keep the pool clean, other than that, there aren’t very many cons.

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Ultimately, deciding on which pool is best is all up to preference as there isn’t a clear or definitive answer on which is better over the other. They both have great features and offer days of sun filled fun for all. When purchasing a home, it is important to look at pool features and decide if they fit your needs. For example, if you decide you want a saltwater pool, make sure that the pool doesn’t have extensive detail or rock work as this will cause more corrosion potential and require additional cleaning, but rather find a simple shaped pool that will make cleaning easy.

For help finding your pool home, to contact an agent, or for any questions regarding the buying or selling process, please feel free to contact my office at any time.