[Shady_Banker]

I read some of the comments on the expense on maintaining a pool in south Florida but as I am looking at a house to buy in the Fort Lauderdale area, and everyone we like has a pool. I think I am more worried about my water bill than the expense of maintaining it, as I have done that in California. But I have also seen how much water evaporates out of a pool during the summer months in south Florida. Next door neighbor was always adding water to his pool, but maybe he did have a leak.

[FLHfan]

Summer rains keep the pool full. If mine didn't have an overflow pipe, I'd have to pump it down.

[Restrain]

Two things. First the main expense is if you are running a chlorine pool vs a salt water pool. Minimal cost difference (chlorine generator) but you are not having to have to constantly be adding chlorine, watching pool chemical balances, etc. our operating coats for chemical is about 100 a year for salt and stabilizer. Second, as the other poster said, in the rainy season, you seldom have to add water. In dry season, use a pool cover as it restricts evaporation, very limited water added.

[expatCA]

Originally Posted by Restrain

Two things. First the main expense is if you are running a chlorine pool vs a salt water pool. Minimal cost difference (chlorine generator) but you are not having to have to constantly be adding chlorine, watching pool chemical balances, etc. our operating coats for chemical is about 100 a year for salt and stabilizer. Second, as the other poster said, in the rainy season, you seldom have to add water. In dry season, use a pool cover as it restricts evaporation, very limited water added.

A friend just put in a Salt water pool and says it is more of a hassle than a standard pool adding chlorine.

[RexLan]

Originally Posted by expatCA

A friend just put in a Salt water pool and says it is more of a hassle than a standard pool adding chlorine.

And also a LOT more expensive as folks will see when the coils die in 3-5 years and have to be replaced. Saltwater pool may be OK but it is just a new fad and teh pool still needs chlorine which is all teh units does -- extracts the chlorine.

I used one tablet a week and 4 gallons of muratic acid a year .... CHEAP to maintain. Probably didn't add 1000 gallons of water annually. Maybe $125/annual cost total.

If you cover the pool in winter you can just about count on it going green by spring ... kills it. I stopped using the cover and never had another issue.

[markjames68]

Saltwater pools are hardly a "new fad", they've been around for ages. I think the reason they have become more attractive is that people are tired of the chlorine smell. I agree that the salt generator cell replacement costs need to be factored in, somewhere around $100-200 a year on average.

[expatCA]

Originally Posted by RexLan

And also a LOT more expensive as folks will see when the coils die in 3-5 years and have to be replaced. Saltwater pool may be OK but it is just a new fad and teh pool still needs chlorine which is all teh units does -- extracts the chlorine.

I used one tablet a week and 4 gallons of muratic acid a year .... CHEAP to maintain. Probably didn't add 1000 gallons of water annually. Maybe $125/annual cost total.

If you cover the pool in winter you can just about count on it going green by spring ... kills it. I stopped using the cover and never had another issue.

Yep, a cover when not in use any time of the year helps a lot. I have no trouble with chlorine as I add it carefully and not all at once. Never had a pool problem.

[RexLan]

Originally Posted by markjames68

Saltwater pools are hardly a "new fad", they've been around for ages. I think the reason they have become more attractive is that people are tired of the chlorine smell. I agree that the salt generator cell replacement costs need to be factored in, somewhere around $100-200 a year on average.

"new fad" in that recently being promoted as the best thing.

I have never smelled chlorine in the pool.

The saltwater pool extracts the chlorine from the salt and puts it in the pool. The source of chlorine is immaterial - it's still chlorine. I'm not sure but you may also need to add a stabilizer whereas it is already in the tabs.

[Enigma777]

Originally Posted by Shady_Banker

I read some of the comments on the expense on maintaining a pool in south Florida but as I am looking at a house to buy in the Fort Lauderdale area, and everyone we like has a pool. I think I am more worried about my water bill than the expense of maintaining it, as I have done that in California. But I have also seen how much water evaporates out of a pool during the summer months in south Florida. Next door neighbor was always adding water to his pool, but maybe he did have a leak.

The only time we ever had to add water often to our pool often (every few weeks), it had a leak.

It will affect your water bill very little and pool chemicals are not all that costly, and we maintained the chemicals ourselves. Very low maintenance. I think having a pool in FL is totally worth it--just make sure that the pool you are looking at does not need to be resurfaced any time soon--that is costly.

What affects your water bill is where you get your water from. I.e., we lived in a town with a city boundary (not FTL) and paid city water prices, which is what they based sewer payments on. A friend who lived in the county but not the city (same town) paid much lower water bills with a family of four, than we paid for two.

[markjames68]

Originally Posted by RexLan

"new fad" in that recently being promoted as the best thing.

I have never smelled chlorine in the pool.

The saltwater pool extracts the chlorine from the salt and puts it in the pool. The source of chlorine is immaterial - it's still chlorine. I'm not sure but you may also need to add a stabilizer whereas it is already in the tabs.

Thanks, I understand it's still chlorine. What I'm thinking of is the fact that there is not ENOUGH chlorine in a traditional pool and you get the chloramine smell. With a salt water system it continually maintains even levels.

If you are able to maintain the right level yourself you don't need a salt system!