Intex winterizing - plugging the outlet port

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M

mwc104

0
Apr 4, 2017
17
Hamilton, IL
Forgive me if I get my terminology all screwed up.

I have the 18x48 intex ultra frame pool with one inlet (to pool) and one outlet (to pump) on the liner wall. I'm going to drain the water down below the inlet and remove it, but then I need a way to plug the outlet that sits 1/2 way down in the water. What's the best way to do this? My best guess is to screw on the blue adapter for the wall mounted surface skimmer and then buy one of the rubber expansion plugs and plug it up, but not sure that will work.

Here's the style of outlet I have: https://www.amazon.com/Model-Intex-Plunger-Strainer-Assembly/dp/B00EKLFHAI

Here's the skimmer adapter: Amazon.com : Intex Surface Skimmer Wall Mount Hose Adapter : Swimming Pool Skimmers : Patio, Lawn Garden
 
That eyeball pic shows a cutoff valve attached. Do you not have one of those on the skimmer side as well? All I ever did to winterize was close the valve and unscrew the hose. It's handy to have those valves on both sides in case you ever need to remove or open up your pump/filter.
 
jeffchap said:
That eyeball pic shows a cutoff valve attached. Do you not have one of those on the skimmer side as well? All I ever did to winterize was close the valve and unscrew the hose. It's handy to have those valves on both sides in case you ever need to remove or open up your pump/filter.
Click to expand...

Yea, both the below water skimmer and the eyeball have that cut-off valve. I thought that would be all I needed to do, but when I went to the local pool store and told them that was my plan, they said not to do that because any water trapped inside the skimmer would break it... is that not true? He was saying I need to plug it somehow and keep the cut-off valves open for anything that does get trapped to leak out.
 
The newer Intex valves have a little air bleed valve on the top. If you opened that, I don't think you'd have any problem with it freezing and breaking.
 
I have those type of valves on my intex pool. The high one I disconnect the piping and leave it in the open position. The low one I have had plugged from the inside since I installed my thru wall skimmer, I leave it in the open position for winter as well.
Top and bottom are both the same size so by measuring your top inside diameter you should be able to find something to plug the lower one from inside.
I was lucky enough to be working on a hospital and the medical gas copper lines all came with nice silicone plugs, several of which I gathered up after they were no longer required.
 
what I do is to take some of the extruded foam board insulation form lowes, and cut 2 circles that I bevel to TIGHTLY fit in the wall fitting from the pool side... then I put the strainer back in place to hold it in place.

I then disconnect the hoses from the wall, and store them out of the weather.

It works well for me, and doesn't leak a bit. I have been doing this for the past 4+ years.
 
LFrankow said:
I have those type of valves on my intex pool. The high one I disconnect the piping and leave it in the open position. The low one I have had plugged from the inside since I installed my thru wall skimmer, I leave it in the open position for winter as well.
Top and bottom are both the same size so by measuring your top inside diameter you should be able to find something to plug the lower one from inside.
I was lucky enough to be working on a hospital and the medical gas copper lines all came with nice silicone plugs, several of which I gathered up after they were no longer required.
Click to expand...

So you're thinking I could find like a pvc piece with inner threads that I can screw on to plug that? I'll have to take that top one apart and check it out.
 
LFrankow said:
No my thinking is much like RonsPlc, find a press fit plug to go on the inside, then screw the cover over it.
Trying to find a threaded cap to match Intex stuff is pretty tough.
Click to expand...

Hmmmmm......maybe I'm overthinking this.......what cover would I screw over the top of the press fit plug? Anyone have a pic of what they've done or something for reference?
 

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It occurs to me that I DO have a through hole that I plug. I did some reading, and found that the newer Intex fittings have a strainer built into them. Therefore, my solution won't work for you. :(
 
RonsPlc said:
It occurs to me that I DO have a through hole that I plug. I did some reading, and found that the newer Intex fittings have a strainer built into them. Therefore, my solution won't work for you. :(
Click to expand...

Darn! That's what I was wondering. It's so weird that they didn't make it removable. The one I have still has the outer threads for what could be another strainer. Although, the inner strainer grid looks removable as it has a gap around the edge. When I slowly attempted to remove it before putting up this year, I felt it was going to break so I didn't try anymore. Anyone know if it can be removed or is it designed that way?
 
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