Intex Pool - pitfalls of leaving up all winter?

[thebumble]

Hi,

We also have the Intex metal frame pool, 18' x 4'. We live in NJ. We are also going to leave the pool up this winter. I bought a winter pool cover and the pillow. We plan on draining water below skimmer/output lines, disconnecting hoses and filter (bring them down into the basement), taking ladder out, and keeping our fingers crossed!

Has anyone kept this specific type of pool up over the winter? I sure hope it doesn't freeze too much!

Any advice is appreciated!

[buickgn]

I am going for it! Going to do what thebumble said. I got a couple of pinhole leaks from it being in storage last year so going to chance it staying up all winter. Already have 3 seasons on it so I already got my moneys worth from it. Just tired of wasting all the water every year.

[yjjeeper]

Well, I decided to take mine down for winter. I need to put sand under it and will have to move it anyway.

Keep us updated on how it goes leaving them up, I would like to leave mine up next winter.

[CarlD]

As the un-plumbed pools have gotten cheaper and cheaper, I guess the risk isn't very expensive. If it fails, just buy a new pool, sans filter, hoses, ladder etc.

But I suspect it will fail. You are counting on the inflatable ring not deflating--but it WILL contract as the air inside gets colder and shrinks. Will it still be bouyant, enough to stand up to winds and snow? Personally, I doubt it.

I took mine down every year for the 3 years we used it, washed it with a chlorine solution, dried it, and put it away.

But the 15'x3' basic pool is a lot cheaper now and may be worth the risk.

[jonv112]

I just finished draining and washing my Intex. I'm waiting for the liner and cover to dry now. I would never even consider leaving up one of these pools in a Canadian winter, but if you live in a warmer climate then I guess it would be OK.

[Kimrst]

Our Intex Frame pool is coming down this weekend in Michigan. I want to put a bigger "real" pool up next year, but just in case we can't, I want to have a sure thing waiting next spring in our basement. I think I might try some unsented talcum powder in it while storeing for the winter. I thought I read it on the Intex website? Has anyone else try it?

Please post next sping how the pools did over the winter. We all would like to know... Kimrst

[thebumble]

FYI, Spring Update:

Our 18' Metal Frame Intex has been up all winter and so far, so good! I do see a few seams that have a slight moisture building up on the bottom outside liner. I'm going to patch them up.

I think we'll have at least another year with this pool!

So, it DID survive the cold NJ winter! (There wasn't that much snow this year).

Also, any advice on using the Scotch clear duct tape over the patched seams? Will that give me extra reinforcement?

Thanks!