How Sarasota’s Saltwater Air Impacts Pool Equipment and How to Protect It
Your swimming pool suffers wear and tear damage even when you’re not actively using it. That’s because the saltwater air in the Tampa Bay region speeds up the rate of corrosion. Your pool uses a variety of components that are especially susceptible to this type of damage. Use this guide to find out which parts face a greater risk of corrosion and learn how to protect your equipment.
Is Saltwater Air Really a Problem for Pool Supplies? Sarasota Experts Weigh In
Yes. Coastal regions in Florida, including the Tampa Bay area, face higher air salinity or salt content than regions farther inland. In one study, the air salinity, measured by micrograms per cubic meter (µg/m), ranged from 19 to 30 µg/m. Inland regions have an average salinity of 5 µg/m.
The coastal air deposits excess salt on homes and equipment near the coast. When it comes to your swimming pool, excess salt gets into mechanical parts, erodes swimming pool materials, and affects the chemical balance of your pool water.
The Saltwater Effects on Specific Pool Components
To understand how air salinity affects pool supplies, Sarasota homeowners should take a deeper look at the effects on specific components. Understanding how saltwater air erodes certain parts will help you take more effective steps in protecting your equipment.
Pump and Motor Damage
The fine grains of salt in the ocean air can access very small spaces. When it comes to getting into motors and pumps, the salt will contaminate the motor housing, bolts, electrical wiring, and moving parts. The presence of salt speeds up the rate of corrosion, allowing rust to form quickly. This leads to more frequent repairs and short life spans for motors and pumps.
Heating System Erosion
Your pool’s heater is another system that faces rapid corrosion and rust as a result of exposure to salty ocean air. The metal connections and fuel lines that supply gas to the heater are susceptible and make fuel leaks more likely. In addition, your heating system might fail and need more frequent repairs.
Salt Chlorine Generator Problems
When designing your swimming space, you might want to compare saltwater vs. chlorine systems. While a saltwater system reduces your reliance on chemicals, it won’t lighten your maintenance burden. Air salinity can still pose a problem for saltwater systems. Excess salt will build up in the equipment, causing mechanical failures and corrosion.
Ladder and Other Metal Fixture Corrosion
Just as salty ocean air speeds up corrosion in motors and other moving parts, it will affect every other metal surface. This includes the metal ladders, railings, and fittings in and around your swimming pool. Rust is usually easier to see in these exposed areas since the red-maroon discoloration sharply contrasts with the white or blue color of most swimming pools.
Automatic Pool Cover Issues
Most people forget about their automatic pool covers when it comes to guarding against corrosion. While you might have a vinyl or fiberglass cover, the operating system uses metal tracks and a motor to provide automated opening and closing. These parts will suffer corrosion as a result of exposure to the salty ocean air.
You Can Protect Your Pool Supplies: Sarasota Prevention Tips
Rather than frequently replacing corroded pool supplies, Sarasota pool owners can take steps to slow the rate of damage. Follow these tips to extend the lifetime of all of your swimming pool materials and equipment.
Determine the Threat of Saltwater Air on Your Property
In general, the Tampa Bay region experiences higher air salinity than inland regions. However, your property might face a more severe rate if you live closer to the shore. Conversely, properties in hilly or urban areas might have more protection against the higher salt content in the air. If your property faces more exposure, taking consistent steps to prevent corrosion is vital.
Clean the Equipment Regularly
It’s true that salty air can easily damage your pool equipment, but it’s just as easy for you to protect against that corrosion. Rinsing off your pool equipment with a regular garden hose will get rid of most of that excess salt. While you might find it impractical to rinse off the motors and pumps, you can rinse off exposed parts, such as ladders, pool cover tracks, and similar visible materials.
Coat Equipment With Anti-Corrosion Spray
A local marine supply store will sell a variety of anti-corrosion sprays. While boat owners use these products to protect their vessels, you can also use them to protect your pool. Applying a coat of anti-corrosion spray will protect your pool equipment against the salt, moisture, and humidity common in coastal air.
Enclose Your Pool Equipment
Your pool pump, motor, and heating equipment also need protection. Rinsing these parts with water isn’t recommended, but there are things you can do to protect these pool supplies. Sarasota pool owners can build pool houses or other structures to house the equipment. Even using a tent will offer temporary protection by providing a barrier that blocks the salt in coastal air.
Keep an Eye on Your Pool Water Chemistry
Too much salt in your pool water will alter its pH balance. Improperly balanced water chemistry will affect your swimming experience and damage the pool’s pump and filtration equipment. Regularly check the water chemistry and modify the chemicals to keep a more consistent balance.
Schedule Professional Maintenance
Each feature in your pool requires specific care. In addition to following pool maintenance tips, you’ll want to address the upkeep needs for each component. A professional pool care company will know how to address your pool’s unique needs.
Daily or weekly service will help you keep up with these requirements. Once a year, a pool service company will provide deep cleaning and tune-up services to reverse some of the wear and tear damage.
Trust the Region’s Leading Pool Builders
When you work with Tampa Bay Pools, we can design and build a pool that stands up longer against saltwater air. Make use of our expertise to choose the best location, decking, and features to reduce your pool’s exposure to salty air. In addition, we use high-quality equipment and materials that stand the test of time. Contact us to discuss your pool project today!