Every 5–7 years, but most people can push it to 10.

You don’t need to replace sand as often as the pool store wants you to believe. Sand doesn’t break down; it just gets clogged with oils and debris over time. If your filter pressure stays normal and the water is clear, the sand is still doing its job.

Most manufacturers say 5–7 years. That’s fine if you have heavy usage, lots of sunscreen, or hard water. But I’ve seen 10-year-old sand filters work perfectly after a good deep clean. The real indicator is performance: if your pressure rises fast after backwashing, or if water clarity drops, it’s time. Otherwise, leave it.

A sand change is a messy, heavy job. You’ll save money and effort by waiting until the sand actually causes problems. Don’t let the pool guy upsell you on a schedule you don’t need.

Your pool won’t know the difference between year 5 and year 8 sand.