The Intex 58983 Metal Frame is a rectangular tubular pool that appeals with its affordable price and promise of quick assembly. Before unpacking the boxes, preparing the ground and adhering to regulatory requirements deserve as much attention as the assembly itself. A poorly prepared ground or a forgotten declaration can turn a summer project into a source of lasting complications.
Above-ground tubular pool and urban planning: what the regulations really require
A small, temporarily installed tubular pool generally escapes urban planning formalities. Not all scenarios benefit from this exemption.
As soon as the ground area exceeds 10 m² and the installation lasts several months, the tax administration may reclassify the pool as a permanent structure. A forgotten declaration can expose the owner to retroactive property tax adjustments, along with a fine under urban planning regulations.
Since February 2024, the prior declaration for pools goes through the DUPLOS platform, which replaces the old paper Cerfa forms. The file is automatically sent to the town hall, the DDTM, the DREAL, and the ARS. The time between submission and authorization to start work is at least one month, which requires planning well before the first heat.
It is therefore wise, before installing the Intex 58983 Metal Frame, to check compliance with your municipality’s Local Urban Plan. Certain areas (historic monument perimeters, protected sectors) impose additional restrictions, even for above-ground pools.
Ground preparation for Metal Frame pool: the critical step often overlooked
The Intex manual requires a flat, firm, and clear ground. The wording seems simple, but this work condition determines the longevity of the pool and the safety of users.
Assessing the slope of the ground
A slope invisible to the naked eye is enough to create asymmetrical pressure on the tubular structure. Ouest-France reports that this imbalance can cause sinking or tilting of the metal frame once the pool is filled. A bubble level placed on a mason’s rule (minimum length of two meters) helps detect discrepancies.
If the ground has a slope, the higher part should be excavated rather than filling in the lower part. An unevenly compacted fill will deform under the weight of the water, and the problem will reappear in a few weeks.
What covering to place under the pool
The ground mat supplied with some Intex kits protects the liner from punctures, but it does not compensate for irregularities or moisture in the ground. Several options exist depending on the nature of the soil:
- A compacted sand bed of regular thickness, which absorbs small bumps and facilitates final leveling.
- Interlocking polyethylene foam slabs, suitable for already flat soils that primarily require thermal and mechanical protection.
- A concrete slab for semi-permanent installations, to be considered only if you plan to keep the pool in the same location for several seasons.
The choice of support also depends on the type of soil: clay soil swells with rain and shrinks in dry periods, destabilizing the frame. Sandy or draining soil provides a more stable base over time.
Assembly of the Intex Metal Frame: the steps where errors concentrate
The assembly itself does not require specialized tools, but certain steps generate the majority of problems reported by users.
The liner must be unfolded and exposed to the sun for about thirty minutes before assembly. The PVC softens slightly in the heat, making tensioning easier and reducing residual folds at the bottom of the pool. Assembling the pool in cool weather makes the liner stiff and difficult to adjust.
The horizontal tubes should be inserted into the liner’s sleeves before placing the vertical legs. Reversing this sequence forces the T-connectors, risking tearing the fabric or deforming the plastic ends.
Once the frame is assembled, filling should be done gradually. It is recommended to smooth out the folds of the liner by hand as the water level rises, because once the pool is full, the folds trapped underwater become nearly impossible to correct.
Filtration and water maintenance: adapting the system to the actual volume
The Intex 58983 typically comes with a low-flow cartridge filter. This type of filtration is suitable for maintaining clear water as long as a regular maintenance protocol is followed.
The filter cartridge should be rinsed every two to three days during intensive use. A clogged cartridge significantly reduces filtration flow and promotes algae growth in just a few days. Complete replacement of the cartridge is necessary as soon as rinsing no longer restores normal flow.
Chemical treatment of the water (chlorine, pH) remains necessary even with filtration in operation. Summer temperatures accelerate bacterial proliferation, and a tubular pool of this volume warms up faster than an inground pool. pH/chlorine test strips allow for quick checks before each swim.
Above-ground pool safety and children: real obligations
Above-ground pools with walls exceeding a certain height are not subject to the same safety obligations (barrier, alarm, cover, shelter) as inground or semi-inground pools. The regulations do not specify a height threshold that makes access impossible for a young child, and the height of the walls alone does not guarantee that access is impossible for a young child.
The access ladder, when provided, must be removed or raised after each use. A protective cover placed over the pool also limits the risks of accidental falls, in addition to slowing down cooling and water contamination.
Regardless of the legal category of the pool, the owner’s civil liability remains engaged in the event of an accident. Checking the clauses of your home insurance policy before filling the pool is a rarely mentioned but legally crucial precaution.