Allow water to flow through the new filters for a minimum of five minutes to flush any air and loose carbon fines from the filter. You can connect a drainage hose to the system and divert the flushed water to a drain or a sink.
Once you've installed the new water filter, you'll usually need to prepare the filter for use by flushing it out with water.
Run two to four gallons of water through the new filter. This helps prevent your water dispenser from sputtering and clears impurities left over from manufacturing.
Use a sturdy container to depress and hold the water dispenser lever for 5 seconds and then release it for 5 seconds. Repeat the process until water starts to flow at a steady pass and all the air is out of the water line. You may discard up to 4 gallons of water during this process.
Potential Risks and Hazards of Dirty Filters
A dirty filter can harbor harmful bacteria, mold, and other harmful particulates, which may then be introduced into your water and ice. This can lead to illness and a generally poor taste and smell in your water supply.
Reason 1: Remove Initial Carbon Dust and Particles.
Flushing a new water filter is necessary to eliminate any initial carbon dust and particles. These impurities can accumulate during the production and packaging of the filter. If not flushed out, they can mix with your drinking water, affecting its quality and taste.
If you have a purifier or filtration system: Turn the drinking water faucet on and leave it on for 10 minutes. If you have a reverse osmosis system: Refer to our article How to Purge Your Reverse Osmosis System.
Push the filter in until the eject button pops back out. Once your filter is replaced, run four gallons of water through the line to properly flush the new filter.
Observing Filtered Water That Appears Cloudy
It is possible for some air to remain in the corners of the filter housing after an installation, or especially after a filter change. This trapped air is what causes the water to have this cloudy texture or appearance which will clear up after two to three weeks.
To flush the system, open the faucet and allow the water to run for 30 minutes. This will flush the new filters of any loose filter media. It's normal for your water to have a slight gray tint during this process and will go away.
With clean hands, hold filter under cold, running tap water for 15 seconds. Insert filter into reservoir by lining up groove in filter with ridge in reservoir. Press firmly for a tight seal. *Do not wash in dishwasher.
Health Risks: Drinking from an old filter can expose individuals to harmful chemicals and heavy metals that the filter was initially designed to remove. This can lead to health issues, especially in vulnerable populations like pregnant women, children, and the elderly.
It's generally recommended to run water through the refrigerator's new water filter for a few minutes after installation. This helps to flush out any potential carbon fines or air bubbles that might be present in the filter.
Check your inlet valve for leaks and run water through the filter to a designated drain for at least five minutes. If you have a water filter equipped with more than one outlet port, be sure to run water through each of the outlet ports for a minimum of five minutes.
You should always flush out three to five gallons of water before drinking the water or using the ice from the refrigerator, regardless what brand of refrigerator or water filter you use.
All Fluoride removal cartridges MUST be FLUSHED with flowing water inside your water filter for 10 minutes minimum with NO other cartridges installed before use. Note: Your Fluoride Removal Cartridge is usually installed in positions 1 or 2 in your water filter.
If your filters aren't properly rinsed, they can produce cloudy water for weeks after installation. This is due to air and loose carbon being flushed through the system. If you're experiencing this, don't worry, it's an easy fix.
If you just replaced the water filter and don't have water from the dispenser, the reservoir tank or tubing has not filled yet. Press the dispenser for several minutes to purge air from the line and make sure all the tubing is filled with water.
An unchanged water filter can produce water with a foul odour or a strange taste. A dirty or clogged water filter can also affect the mechanical actions within your refrigerator, such as the Ice dispenser. A refrigerator with a water dispensing function is a significant investment and really should be treated as such.
Make sure you flush the line after changing the water filter to avoid problems with sediment, rust or backflow.
The water will probably look cloudy and may have small carbon particles. This is normal and why you should flush your water filter before use. You can pour the water directly down the drain. It usually takes 3 to 5 gallons of water to completely flush your new water filter.
Although filters can be helpful in removing harmful chemicals from our water, they sometimes strip away beneficial minerals too. These include magnesium and calcium, as well as iron and manganese, which are eliminated to make water softer and prevent discolouration, respectively.
Ideally, you should drink filtered water within a few days of filtering it. However, it can be stored for up to six months. Just be sure to keep it in a clean, covered container in the fridge.