How often shoud I replace sand in sand filter?

I just registered and the welcome email told me to ask a question. So this is a lingering question that I have never resolved.

My pool store told me to replace my sand every three years, but I have ran it for 12 years and it seems fine. What should I be looking for to decide if it needs replaced?

Mike Finta

Sand doesn't wear out. It can get all gooped up (often from Baquacil) but if yours isn't it's fine.

Just make sure that there's enough of it, and that it's filter sand, not coarse sandblast sand.