Waterdrop Replacement for Whirlpool 4396701 Refrigerator Water Filter

Yes, remove filter prior to descaling and inspect for integrity if needed replace with a new filter.

Water filters are made from the purest carbon blocks. When the filter ships it bounces around and nocks carbon granules loose from the block. These little carbon granules are called fines. All of the quality filters in the market place require a preliminary flushing to remove the carbon fines Some systems may need to be flushed more than once. This is especially true if you have scale or lime water. If you go on vacation and do not use your filtered water for several days, flush the systems again to remove any stagnant water.

Yes, you must replace the filter every 3 months or sooner if water flow is reduced or if there is heavy sediment/rust present. Filters left in longer will fatigue, degrading filter performance.