Winter plugs for Intex Ultra Frame AGP - please help!

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MadameMagenta

Member
Jul 5, 2022
20
Missouri
I’ve been reading and trying SO hard to find the best thing to plug the inlet and outlet holes on my pool. I won’t be draining any of the water, so I need to find something that will work really well. Any help is very much appreciated!

I found a nice closing kit on amazon, along with a large pool pillow. I just need the plugs and a decent tarp to cover my pool with. This is my first year with a pool, so winterizing it (in Southeast Missouri) is completely new to me.
 
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Hi!! I used to have an Intex Ultra Frame pool for two years that I winterized both times. What type of equipment do you have? If you fill out your signature, it would be super helpful. You mention that you won’t be draining any water at all, do you mind if I ask why? Your cover will likely sit on top of the water even with pillows, so definitely get a solid cover vs a mesh one. The winterizing process includes draining the water below the returns. Oh and you do NOT need a winterizing kit!! Just follow the instructions in the link that @Texas Splash posted.

Do you have a through-the-wall skimmer or one that just hangs over the side and is easily removable? Those are the ones Intex pools come with, but you don’t have your signature filled out so I’m not sure if that’s what you have or if you installed a through-the-wall skimmer. My husband installed a Hayward “thru-the-wall” skimmer on my old Intex, and most Intex owners on this forum do too. Sorry, I know I’m saying a mouthful here lol

If you installed a through-the-wall skimmer, please at least drain below that and put something in the skimmer to keep the ice from breaking it. Many people here cut off part of a “pool noodle” toy or use a gizmo and stick it in the skimmer with the water drained beneath it. If you do not drain below this type of skimmer, ice will expand and can cause it to crack. You really don’t want that happening. Draining below the skimmer really isn’t much water at all, if you think about it. Obviously if your Intex does not have one of these installed, please disregard this info haha

There are several places you can find winterizing plugs and winter covers are on sale at a lot of online retailers right now! Amazon is a great starting point, which Texas Splash provided a link for. The plugs are very inexpensive. Just make sure they are compatible with your Intex pool size-wise. As far as covers go, make sure you read reviews and choose a high quality SOLID (no mesh in your situation) cover with a good warranty. You will also need a cover pump to pump excess water off the cover. I posted a picture of a good one sold on Amazon that was recommended to me even though I’m not sure if I’m using a solid or mesh cover (or any cover, for that matter) this winter. There are cheaper options, but this one comes with everything you need. Best of luck to you!! 🙂


EB0614BF-935C-4FFB-B5BD-9BF576A8E24D.jpeg
 
Last edited:
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Sooooooooooo many choices. Cover, no cover, drain, partial drain, no drain. Nobody does it wrong, there are just plenty of ways to skin this cat.

For example, I'd use no cover or use the cheapest tarp I could find and consider it disposable in the spring. If covering, I'd periodically check harbor freight and such websites for a clearance sale and buy a few of them for future years. They get highly discounted at times.

Read up on Pat's links. Process what Her Royal Majesty offered above. Ask away further if necessary. :)
 
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Mdragger88 said:
Did the pool come with these?
View attachment 454379
You remove the fitting on the inside of the pool- put the black plug in & screw the fitting back on.
Click to expand...
These came with my Intex when I had one and I used them one winter. One of them ended up falling in the pool but mine was drained below them so that is likely why haha
 
thefloatqueen said:
Hi!! I used to have an Intex Ultra Frame pool for two years that I winterized both times. What type of equipment do you have? If you fill out your signature, it would be super helpful. You mention that you won’t be draining any water at all, do you mind if I ask why? Your cover will likely sit on top of the water even with pillows, so definitely get a solid cover vs a mesh one. The winterizing process includes draining the water below the returns. Oh and you do NOT need a winterizing kit!! Just follow the instructions in the link that @Texas Splash posted.

Do you have a through-the-wall skimmer or one that just hangs over the side and is easily removable? Those are the ones Intex pools come with, but you don’t have your signature filled out so I’m not sure if that’s what you have or if you installed a through-the-wall skimmer. My husband installed a Hayward “thru-the-wall” skimmer on my old Intex, and most Intex owners on this forum do too. Sorry, I know I’m saying a mouthful here lol

If you installed a through-the-wall skimmer, please at least drain below that and put something in the skimmer to keep the ice from breaking it. Many people here cut off part of a “pool noodle” toy or use a gizmo and stick it in the skimmer with the water drained beneath it. If you do not drain below this type of skimmer, ice will expand and can cause it to crack. You really don’t want that happening. Draining below the skimmer really isn’t much water at all, if you think about it. Obviously if your Intex does not have one of these installed, please disregard this info haha

There are several places you can find winterizing plugs and winter covers are on sale at a lot of online retailers right now! Amazon is a great starting point, which Texas Splash provided a link for. The plugs are very inexpensive. Just make sure they are compatible with your Intex pool size-wise. As far as covers go, make sure you read reviews and choose a high quality SOLID (no mesh in your situation) cover with a good warranty. You will also need a cover pump to pump excess water off the cover. I posted a picture of a good one sold on Amazon that was recommended to me even though I’m not sure if I’m using a solid or mesh cover (or any cover, for that matter) this winter. There are cheaper options, but this one comes with everything you need. Best of luck to you!! 🙂


View attachment 454375
Click to expand...
Thanks for all the info! I know I need to get around to filling out my signature, I just keep forgetting. I have an Intex Ultra Frame 16x32 with a sand filter.

I got a medium duty cover last week, but was waiting until I ordered a pillow and winterizing kit before I put it on. I’m currently using the cover that came with the pool just to keep the leaves out.

I bought the skimmer that hangs over the side, I wasn’t comfortable installing one, lol. I don’t want to drain below the inlet because I’ve read that with a cover and lower water level that snow and stuff can cause the cover to now the sides really bad, so that’s why I was just going to plug the inlets and outlet holes.
 

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Newdude said:
Sooooooooooo many choices. Cover, no cover, drain, partial drain, no drain. Nobody does it wrong, there are just plenty of ways to skin this cat.

For example, I'd use no cover or use the cheapest tarp I could find and consider it disposable in the spring. If covering, I'd periodically check harbor freight and such websites for a clearance sale and buy a few of them for future years. They get highly discounted at times.

Read up on Pat's links. Process what Her Royal Majesty offered above. Ask away further if necessary. :)
Click to expand...
I actually had Menards cash back rewards that coveted the price of a medium duty tarp. :)
 
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