Lifespan of cartridge filter housing (not the cartridges)

[gangstead]

I've seen numerous threads about the lifespan of individual cartridges, but what is the general lifespan of fiberglass housing the cartridge filters?

I've got a 14 year old pool, been at the house for 6 years. There are some small cracks at the base where some water is bypassing the filters. I'm wondering if it's just a natural part of a filter housing past its prime or a sign of something more serious.

 

[Texas Splash]

I suspect a lot has to do with the unit's direct exposure to the elements (UV sunlight, heat, etc). My filter unit is on the west side so it takes a beating in the summer, but I created a type of sunscreen shade to take some stress off of it. I saw on one site where 10 years was a good baseline. 14 years is a pretty good run though. If you're seeing cracks with water beginning to leak, it's probably a good indication it's time for a swap. Depending upon the nature of the crack and location, some folks have tried other (interim) methods (i.e. JB Weld, plastic welding, etc), but that's never as good as a replacement. Last thing you want is for it to rupture when you're not home and run your pump dry.