Pool filter sand lasts 5+ years.

Most people replace it way too early. Sand doesn’t go bad like DE or cartridges. If your water is clear and pressure stays stable, you’re fine.

Signs you actually need to replace it: the filter pressure is consistently 8–10 PSI higher than normal after backwashing, and the water stays cloudy despite proper chemical balance. Or you notice “channeling” — sand settles into channels and water passes through without being filtered. Sometimes you can fix that by stirring the sand with a garden trowel.

Also check for hardness. Sand that turns into a brick when you dig in means calcium buildup. But that usually takes years of neglect.

Save yourself the bag of sand every season. Run your chemistry right, and the sand will outlast your patience.