Being able to keep your above-ground swimming pool up all year long depends on the manufacturer.
Intex provides recommendations on which of its products can be used in summers only or winter months as well. Pool owners should follow Intex’s guidelines. Otherwise, it will result in damage to the above-ground pool.
Nevertheless, if any of their products are allowed to be used in the cold season, Intex would certainly advise you on the very best means to guard that product from damages.
For all Intex pool owners, let’s get down to know: Can you leave an Intex pool up all Winter?
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Can I Leave My Intex Pool Up in The Winter?
Intex will always ask you to dismantle the pools and store them in advance of the winter season, in accordance with standards. This is because many parts of the pool cannot withstand low temperatures when stored outdoors. In temperatures below 32F, ice can damage the pool and its components.
I believe you certainly don’t want to risk the ice damage to your pool. That is why it is always best to follow the manufacturer’s recommendations.
However, you may opt to winterize your Intex pool. Those, living in areas with warmer seasons and lighter winters, can simply cover the pool during the winter. What should people, living in colder areas, do to keep their pools safe in the wintertime? Keep reading!
What Does it Mean to Winterize Pools?
Winterizing above-ground pools includes several simple steps: removing and drying out pipes that can be damaged by freezing in your water to prevent microorganisms, algae, and mold from expanding over the cold weather, and covering the pool.
Winterizing an Intex pool is a little bit different. Since the pool is at least partially inflatable, shutting you’re for the season might indicate the distinction between having a pool or needing to purchase one next season.
The lightweight materials used by Intex make it quick and easy to set up a pool, but leaving your pool outside at cold temperatures can damage the material.
That is why the pool manufacturer strongly advises draining pipes and disassembling your pool if the temperatures in your area decline below 41 ° F (5 ° C). Jump to the next section to read how to winterize your Intex pool.
Can You Leave an Intex Pool Up All Winter?
How To Winterize An Intex Pool
Intex pools are recommended to be stored inside during the winter season. But if you live in warmer climates or cannot disassemble your Intex pool this winter, follow my guidelines to keep your pool safe through the cold winter.
Prepare the Materials
The first thing you should do is to collect all the materials you’ll need to winterize your pool. They include the following:
Winterizing kit (pH increaser, Pool shock, algaecide, alkalinity increaser, and calcium hardness increase),
Pool pillow,
Intex pool cover,
Pool cover clips,
Cable and winch for a pool cover.
Remove all Pool Accessories
All elements of your pool, such as vacuum, ladder, and skimmer, need to be removed from the pool before the winter season. Take them away and store them in a dry place where wintertime will not impact them. Bear in mind to clean through the ways to avoid discolorations sticking on the walls.
Also, remember to remove the pump and a filter before wintertime. Place the pump, filter, and all other accessories in a secure place where they will certainly not be harmed by the winter. Drain the water out from the pump and filter.
Can I leave my sand filter out all winter? Filters are usually stored inside in winter. But, the sand filter can be left them outside if you remove all the drain plugs. When the plugs are removed, freezing water or condensation will not crack the filter tank.
Take Out the Old Filter Cartridge
After you drain the filter, rinse off any debris that has been collected on it with a hose. Make sure to leave valves open and store them indoors for winter!
If using a sand filter: Set multiport valve from “Summer Mode” (filtration) all way down into “Winter mode” position; remove the drain plug, so water can escape while draining – this will make cleaning easier when ready for next season’s use.
Clean your Pool
A pool is a rather big investment. Make sure to take care of it by cleaning the pool walls and maintaining all necessary equipment like filters, lights, or an automatic cover so you can enjoy your swimming during this next summer season!
If your equipment, such as hoses, needs to be cleaned, you can hose them off, but if they are full of chemicals, you’ll need to soak them in soapy water.
It would be best if you let your equipment dry before storing it in a clean, dry and safe place away from direct sunlight.
Rain, wind, and freezing temperatures cause damage to pool accessories left outside during the winter.
Balance the Chemical Level
Readjusting the alkalinity and also acidity of your overground pool will help prevent rust and also scaling. The pH level must be between 7.2 to 7.6, and the alkaline level must be between 80 to 120 ppm. Your calcium should be between 175 to 250 ppm, as well as the chlorine level must be between 1 to 3 ppm.
Use Intex’s Chemical Winterizing Kit
Intex provides an essential winterizing chemicals kit to keep your pool based on the various environments. In addition to keeping your pool water balanced while not in use, these chemicals will also help you avoid having to clean your pool each week.
The most common method to winterize an above-ground pool is to add the appropriate winterizing chemicals in pool water. These chemicals can be bought individually or as part of a pool winterizing chemical kit.
Install the Pool Air Pillow
If you live in a cold climate, you may want to purchase an air pillow. This cover protects from the pressure of snow and ice, which is very important.
You can keep debris and water off the edge of your pool by using an air pillow.
Reopening your pool becomes easier this way. For better snow protection, place it at the center of your above-ground pool. If you want to ensure your air pillow stays in the center, attach it with a cable and winch.
Cover Your Pool
It is recommended to use a winter pool cover to stop any dirt from falling into your pool and the cold weather negatively affecting the water’s balance and chemistry.
Intex pool winter cover should be kept dry during the winter season. Check yours regularly.
Can Intex pools stay up all year?
In warmer climates, Intex advises keeping your pool up, if you prefer. However, you must winterize the pool when keeping it full throughout the winter. If your area maintains tropical climates all year long, you may not need to winterize your pool at all, especially if you use your pool on a regular basis.
When to Close Your Pool
To avoid damage to the pool due to the cold, it is best to close the pool well before temperatures drop. Remember that procrastination is the worst enemy in this important responsibility. Do close your pool in advance!
If you receive a harsh weather forecast because of a cold front passing through your location two days in advance, you may not even have time to close the pool.
Intex pools are designed to drain pipes using a regular garden hose. This is a tiny area for a significant amount of water, especially if you have a large above-ground pool model. So be prepared for this process to take a couple of days.
If you don’t cover your above-ground pool?
If you don’t cover your above-ground pool, it’s going to get dirt, leaves, and other debris in it. Even if you don’t have any trees nearby, the wind will still blow debris into the water.
Verdict
Intex pools are developed to be easy to set up. However, this biggest Intex’s advantage turns to a significant disadvantage when winter comes. The Intex pool’s walls and frameworks are made of delicate materials, making them unsuitable for the winter. Intex strongly recommends disassembling and storing its pools inside during the chilly season.
If you’ve decided to keep your Intex pool up all the winter, this guide should help you properly prepare your pool for the winter so that you can enjoy your Intex swimming pool for many seasons to come. If you have the right equipment and this guide, you can easily winterize a pool on your own without hiring a professional.
Even though it may be difficult at first, preparing your pool for the cold months will become easier with each passing year.
