Can I Walk on My Swimming Pool if I Put a Lot of Salt in It?

Many enthusiasts wonder if adding considerable amounts of salt to their swimming pools could create a walkable surface. Indeed, while the concept might sound intriguing, even a significantly salt-loaded pool remains a liquid and poses multiple challenges. We'll explore why this is not feasible and discuss alternative options.

Understanding Salt and Water Density

Adding salt to water does increase its density. However, the increase is minimal and insufficient to create a solid surface. The density of salt water is approximately 1.025-1.035 kg/L, depending on the salt concentration. While this might seem significant enough to consider walking on, it's crucial to understand that salt water still behaves as a liquid. Therefore, attempts to walk on a salt-boosted pool would result in your sinking, possibly causing injury or damage.

Effects on Pool Equipment and Water Balance

Adding excessive amounts of salt can lead to several adverse effects:

Equipment Damage: Salt can corrode and damage various components of your pool, including the pool walls, steps, and even the pool lights. This can result in expensive repairs and replacements. Affected Water Balance: Excessive salt can disrupt the chemical balance of the water, making it harder to maintain proper levels of chlorine or other sanitizers. This can lead to a higher risk of waterborne illnesses and encourage the growth of algae. Expensive to Fix: Once you've added an excessive amount of salt, dealing with the excess can be costly and time-consuming. You may need to drain and clean the pool, and replace any damaged parts.

Alternative Solutions for Swimming Without Drowning

While adding significant amounts of salt won't create a walkable surface, there are ways to enhance your swimming experience:

Corn Starch

A much safer and more practical solution is using corn starch. At a specific concentration, corn starch can create a solid surface that you can walk on. The steps are simple:

Concentrate the corn starch into a thick paste. Pour the paste evenly across the pool floor. Let it dry completely.

This method not only allows you to walk on the pool floor but also drastically improves your swimming experience. The corn starch creates a natural resistance and buoyancy that can make you float better, mimicking the effects of the dense waters found in places like the Dead Sea.

Dead Sea Experience

The Dead Sea, with its extremely high salt content, has a density of about 1.24 kg/L, making it incredibly buoyant. However, replicating this level of concentration in a residential swimming pool is not recommended. The enormous quantity of salt required (highly impractical and costly) makes it a non-viable option. Additionally, attempting to drain such a highly salted pool would result in significant fines and potential damage to the pool and its surroundings.

The Dead Sea’s dense water allows swimmers to float with minimal effort, but this effect is not suitable for pools at home. While the idea of a natural dry surface in a swimming pool is appealing, the practical and financial considerations make it a nonviable option for the average homeowner.

Conclusion

While the notion of a walkable pool seems exciting, it is not achievable by simply adding salt. Salt will increase the density of the water, but it will remain a liquid, and you'll still sink. It's best to explore safer and more practical alternatives like using corn starch. This method not only provides a solid walking surface but also enhances your swimming experience with increased buoyancy and resistance.