Intex pool drain valve leaking

[Jmarie]

Hello, I have had my 18' X 52" metal frame intex pool for 3 years. I was ready to close it for the season and noticed one of the drain plugs near the bottom on the pool is dripping. I do not want to drain the pool because I have a well and would have to have water hauled in to refill. The water is too cold to get in to repair (50 to 55 degrees). Is there a way I can repair this from the outside? Is there a product used for wet/marine applications that I could try? I can't tell if it is the drain itself leaking or the seam around the drain. It is dripping. I am not experiencing any noticeable water loss in the pool. The ground is wet around the area of the leak. Looking forward to your advice. Thank you

 

[wireform]

If you take a close up look it seems to be delaminating around the drain. sooner or later that will pop a good leak.

 

[Jmarie]

Is the delaminating where you can see blue next to the drain?

 

[Jmarie]

Would fix a seal or e-z patch vinyl liner repair sealant or something similar work? Or epoxy pool putty?

 

[CT-Steven]

My unprofessional opinion is it needs to be relaced as @wireform noted it is delaminating and at some point a part of it is going to let go and you are going to have an empty pool if not caught in time. The issue is location at is at the curvature of the pool. My first suggestion would be to place a bowel over the area to form a seal and then you can cut the piece out and install a bulk head like this:

https://www.amazon.com/Buefall-Bulkhead-Connector-Thru-Bulk-Aquariums/dp/B09BD5WFLP/ref=sr_1_5?keywords=1.5%2Binch%2Bbulkhead%2Bplug&qid=1637256625&s=pet-supplies&sr=1-5-catcorr&th=1

Not sure of the silicone O ring that this has so you might need to get one that is more "Intex friendly".
You need 2 people and will loose some water when you remove the bowl and insert the bulk head but if you work quick enough you should be ok. I did a similar maneuver when I hard piped my intake/returns.