I’ve searched many threads and can’t find a similar question, so feel free to direct me if this has been answered elsewhere so I don’t waste anyone’s time.
This was our first summer with our Intex 12x24 ultra frame, therefore this is our first winterizing. We decided that we would keep it up year round as we have nowhere to store it, and didn’t want the hassle anyway, after years of taking down a much smaller round one each year in the past.
I know that Intex doesn’t recommend leaving it up, but there are plenty of threads showing that lots of people do leave it up with success, in much harsher climates than here in KY. We used the winterizing kit from InTheSwim, and we lowered the water to an Inch or 2 below the lowest side hole. (Which was a pretty significant drain). We removed all tubing, and brought in the salt water pump and sand filter. We put in a large pool pillow, and covered it with the heavy duty cover that came with the pool.
BUT...when it rains, and I assume when it snows, if it snows, the big puddles form around the edges and pull down the cover. We’ve added extra side holders and have so far fixed the gap problems, but I am super concerned about the bowing sides. Just like when originally filling the Intex, the sides bowed until full, of course it bowed again when lowering the water for the winterizing instructions. I feel like the extra weight of rainwater and snow will cause great stress on this sides. We are using a pool cover drain, but there are still times the water collects, and snow will be another problem.
So my question is specifically for Intex ultra frame owners who have winterized. Did you lower your water level like instructed, and did the sides bow, and did it matter?
This was our first summer with our Intex 12x24 ultra frame, therefore this is our first winterizing. We decided that we would keep it up year round as we have nowhere to store it, and didn’t want the hassle anyway, after years of taking down a much smaller round one each year in the past.
I know that Intex doesn’t recommend leaving it up, but there are plenty of threads showing that lots of people do leave it up with success, in much harsher climates than here in KY. We used the winterizing kit from InTheSwim, and we lowered the water to an Inch or 2 below the lowest side hole. (Which was a pretty significant drain). We removed all tubing, and brought in the salt water pump and sand filter. We put in a large pool pillow, and covered it with the heavy duty cover that came with the pool.
BUT...when it rains, and I assume when it snows, if it snows, the big puddles form around the edges and pull down the cover. We’ve added extra side holders and have so far fixed the gap problems, but I am super concerned about the bowing sides. Just like when originally filling the Intex, the sides bowed until full, of course it bowed again when lowering the water for the winterizing instructions. I feel like the extra weight of rainwater and snow will cause great stress on this sides. We are using a pool cover drain, but there are still times the water collects, and snow will be another problem.
So my question is specifically for Intex ultra frame owners who have winterized. Did you lower your water level like instructed, and did the sides bow, and did it matter?
