I have a 15' metal frame, above ground, Intex pool. I bought a new sand filter for it this year and it came with hoses MUCH larger than the dinky cartridge filters. From what I can gather, I have 1.25" host fitting on my pool So I had to buy some adapters to make it work. Similar to these: Amazon.com: Intex Above Ground Plunger Valves with Gaskets & Nuts + Hose Adapters (2 Each): Garden & Outdoor. The filter also came with a different style outlet, which I imagine wouldn't need said adapters. My question is, can I use the larger outlet design? Basically cut the liner and install the larger outlet over it? I know there are some through wall skimmer designs that require you to cut the liner, like this: Amazon.com : Swimming Pool Complete Thru-Wall Skimmer Kit : Swimming Pool Skimmers : Garden & Outdoor. Thoughts?
Cutting a hole in my pool...am I crazy?
- Thread starter benutne
- Start date
- Jul 21, 2013
- 65,062
- Pool Size
- 35000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
Yes you can. I cut my last intex pool, and I've cut my current one. I added both a larger return and intake. Both of the cuts I made, I did over the hole that's already there bc that area is reinforced. I ordered a Hayward pool return and intake (for 1.5 hoses) . I traced the gasket hole with a sharpie where I wanted to make the cut. I used a new exacto knife to carefully cut the hole. There are some youtube videos that show this. Good luck.
Here are the directions I wrote up a little while ago to cut a hole for a 1.5” bulkhead.
Cutting the hole is a bit nerve wracking, but in the end it’s really not that bad. If you are doing it with the pool full it helps to have a helper inside the pool. Here is how I did it:
First, double check to make sure that everything is ready and within arm’s reach. You’ll want to be able to grab what you need quickly since you will be losing some water during parts of this process. Also, make sure that there are no tools or anything on the ground near the pool that can’t get wet. You might also want to wear shorts and take off your shoes.
Turn off the pump and make sure the suction ports are closed off, otherwise when you disconnect the tube from the return water will flow through the pump and drain from the pool.
Next use the little black rubber cap to plug the return from the inside of the pool and disconnect the hose and put it on the ground. Some water will drain out of the hose, but you shouldn’t lose too much. At this point things should be stable. You won’t be losing any water from the hose and the little black cap inside the pool is preventing water from draining through the return.
Take the rubber gasket off of the new bulkhead and hold it in place around the existing return, then use a sharpie to trace around the inside of the gasket. This will be the hole that you will cut out. Put the gasket back on the threaded part of the new bulkhead. When it is installed the gasket goes inside the pool.
Make sure that the new valve is closed because you’ll want it to stop the water as soon as you get the new bulkhead installed.
Now, take a deep breath because this is when things start getting a little hectic. But remember that losing some water isn’t the end of the world and it’s not like you need to rush. Work quickly, but carefully and it’s ok if water spills out as you work.
This is also the point where it’s helpful to have a helper inside the pool. Have the helper hold a small Tupperware container over the existing return bulkhead. As you start cutting the liner the suction from the water leaving the pool will hold the Tupperware against the liner and slow the amount of water leaving the pool. This will make it easier to cut since you’ll be able to see what you’re doing. There will still be some water leaking out, but not a lot.
Use a sharp utility knife to cut the hole. It actually cuts very easily. Try to cut just on the outside of the line you made. It doesn’t have to be perfect as the gasket is pretty thick, but try to go carefully and do a good job.
Once the hole is completely cut out and your helper is still holding the Tupperware over the opening there shouldn’t be too much water leaking out. But this next part is where you’ll lose the most water. When you and your helper are ready, do the following:
Remove the tupperware and the old return bulkhead. This will fully open the hole under water, so be prepared for a large amount of water to be coming out. Grab the new bulkhead and push it through from inside the pool. Have your helper block the opening with their hand. This should stop a significant amount of the water draining out, but there will still be some leaking out around the new bulkhead.
Grab the large nut and screw it onto the new bulkhead. Depending on how well your helper is sealing the opening with their hand this should stop most or all of the water from draining out. Install the new vent into the top of the bulkhead and the new valve. At that point your helper can remove their hand.
Verify that there are no leaks, then attach the hose to the bottom of the new valve and you are good to go.
Cutting the hole is a bit nerve wracking, but in the end it’s really not that bad. If you are doing it with the pool full it helps to have a helper inside the pool. Here is how I did it:
First, double check to make sure that everything is ready and within arm’s reach. You’ll want to be able to grab what you need quickly since you will be losing some water during parts of this process. Also, make sure that there are no tools or anything on the ground near the pool that can’t get wet. You might also want to wear shorts and take off your shoes.
Turn off the pump and make sure the suction ports are closed off, otherwise when you disconnect the tube from the return water will flow through the pump and drain from the pool.
Next use the little black rubber cap to plug the return from the inside of the pool and disconnect the hose and put it on the ground. Some water will drain out of the hose, but you shouldn’t lose too much. At this point things should be stable. You won’t be losing any water from the hose and the little black cap inside the pool is preventing water from draining through the return.
Take the rubber gasket off of the new bulkhead and hold it in place around the existing return, then use a sharpie to trace around the inside of the gasket. This will be the hole that you will cut out. Put the gasket back on the threaded part of the new bulkhead. When it is installed the gasket goes inside the pool.
Make sure that the new valve is closed because you’ll want it to stop the water as soon as you get the new bulkhead installed.
Now, take a deep breath because this is when things start getting a little hectic. But remember that losing some water isn’t the end of the world and it’s not like you need to rush. Work quickly, but carefully and it’s ok if water spills out as you work.
This is also the point where it’s helpful to have a helper inside the pool. Have the helper hold a small Tupperware container over the existing return bulkhead. As you start cutting the liner the suction from the water leaving the pool will hold the Tupperware against the liner and slow the amount of water leaving the pool. This will make it easier to cut since you’ll be able to see what you’re doing. There will still be some water leaking out, but not a lot.
Use a sharp utility knife to cut the hole. It actually cuts very easily. Try to cut just on the outside of the line you made. It doesn’t have to be perfect as the gasket is pretty thick, but try to go carefully and do a good job.
Once the hole is completely cut out and your helper is still holding the Tupperware over the opening there shouldn’t be too much water leaking out. But this next part is where you’ll lose the most water. When you and your helper are ready, do the following:
Remove the tupperware and the old return bulkhead. This will fully open the hole under water, so be prepared for a large amount of water to be coming out. Grab the new bulkhead and push it through from inside the pool. Have your helper block the opening with their hand. This should stop a significant amount of the water draining out, but there will still be some leaking out around the new bulkhead.
Grab the large nut and screw it onto the new bulkhead. Depending on how well your helper is sealing the opening with their hand this should stop most or all of the water from draining out. Install the new vent into the top of the bulkhead and the new valve. At that point your helper can remove their hand.
Verify that there are no leaks, then attach the hose to the bottom of the new valve and you are good to go.
So this is the part that came with the filter. I've stripped a lot of the extra "stuff" from the part like the air valve and the threaded nozzle part for illustration. Other videos online show two gaskets being used, one inside and one out. Do I need two gaskets? I'm not terribly worried about losing water right now as the pool isn't opened yet (not even full for that matter). So I suppose I could just fill it up to right below the existing outlet hole. I've heard that helps keep the liner tight and the hole won't deform after filling it more.
EDIT: Disregard my question about two gaskets. The air valve will not screw in with two gaskets installed. Unless I can find a thinner gasket for the external side.
Last edited:
You don't need one on the outside, just inside. And yes, fill to just below and then cut.