Liquid Damage Repair
Professional water damage repair for phones, tablets, and laptops using advanced cleaning techniques and component-level diagnostics
Device Got Wet? Act Immediately
The first 30 minutes are critical. Following these steps can save your device from permanent damage.
Power Off Immediately
Do not turn it on to “test” if it works. This can cause short circuits and accelerate corrosion. If it’s on, turn it off right away.
Remove Battery (If Possible)
For phones with removable batteries, take it out immediately. For laptops, unplug and remove battery if accessible. Built-in batteries require professional disassembly.
Remove External Components
Take out SIM card, memory cards, remove any cases or covers. Gently shake out visible water without aggressive movements.
Bring to Professional Immediately
Don’t put it in rice. Rice doesn’t remove corrosive contaminants and can introduce dust. Professional cleaning within hours prevents permanent damage.
Warning: Never Use Heat or Hair Dryers
Heat can damage internal components and accelerate corrosion. Avoid direct sunlight, ovens, microwaves, or hair dryers. Professional drying uses controlled temperatures.
Why Every Hour Matters
Corrosion begins almost immediately when water meets metal components, especially if the device remains powered.
Immediate Damage
Short circuits can occur within minutes if device is powered. Visible corrosion can appear within 30 minutes on powered devices due to electrolysis.
Critical Window
Corrosion accelerates as water, metal, and oxygen combine. Professional cleaning during this window often prevents permanent damage.
Permanent Damage
Extended exposure leads to widespread corrosion affecting multiple components. Repair becomes complex and expensive, often requiring component replacement.
How Corrosion Destroys Electronics
When metal components contact water and oxygen, they form iron oxide (rust) and other corrosive compounds. This process eats away at circuit traces, destroys connections, and creates permanent shorts.
If the device remains powered during liquid exposure, electrolysis accelerates this process dramatically – visible green corrosion can appear within 30 minutes.
Not All Liquids Are Equal
Different liquids cause varying levels of damage, affecting repair complexity and success rates.
Clean Water
Least Damaging
Distilled or clean tap water causes minimal chemical damage but still conducts electricity and enables corrosion. Quick professional cleaning often restores full functionality.
Beverages & Drinks
Moderate Damage
Coffee, tea, juice, and soft drinks contain acids and sugars that accelerate corrosion and leave sticky residues on components. Requires thorough cleaning and component inspection.
Salt Water
Highly Destructive
Saltwater is highly conductive and extremely corrosive. Salt ions aggressively attack metal components, causing rapid and extensive damage. Requires immediate freshwater rinse and professional treatment.
Chemicals & Cleaners
Severe Damage
Household cleaners, detergents, and chemical solutions can dissolve components, damage plastic housings, and cause irreversible chemical reactions. Often requires component replacement.
Liquid Damage Is Unpredictable
Water damage can affect single components or cause widespread system failure. Thorough diagnosis is essential.
Minor Damage Scenarios
- Device powers on but charging port doesn’t work
- Screen functions but speakers are distorted
- Laptop works but trackpad is unresponsive
- Phone calls work but camera shows black screen
Usually requires single component replacement (charging port, speaker, etc.)
Major Damage Scenarios
- Device won’t power on at all
- Powers on but immediately shuts down
- Screen shows distorted colors or lines
- Multiple functions failing simultaneously
Indicates motherboard damage requiring component-level repair or replacement of multiple circuits.
Why Professional Diagnosis Matters: Liquid damage assessment requires microscopic inspection of circuit boards, resistance measurements, and continuity testing to identify all affected components. Some damage isn’t visible until components fail weeks later.
Our Professional Repair Process
Systematic approach using advanced equipment to maximize recovery chances and prevent further damage.
Complete Disassembly & Documentation
Device fully disassembled and photographed under microscope. We document existing damage and assess liquid penetration areas before cleaning begins.
Ultrasonic Cleaning
Circuit boards undergo ultrasonic cleaning at 40kHz frequency in specialized solutions for 10-20 minutes to remove contaminants from microscopic spaces. This reaches areas impossible to clean manually.
Professional Drying
Components dried in controlled environment at 50-65°C for 6-8 hours to ensure complete moisture removal without heat damage. Critical for preventing future corrosion.
Microscopic Inspection & Testing
Post-cleaning inspection under microscope identifies remaining corrosion. Multimeter testing checks for shorts, opens, and component integrity. We test every critical circuit.
Component Repair or Replacement
Corroded components identified during testing are cleaned with isopropyl alcohol or replaced. Circuit board traces are repaired using micro-soldering when necessary.
Reassembly & Full Function Testing
Device reassembled and tested for complete functionality. All features verified including charging, audio, cameras, connectivity, and performance under load.
Professional Service Equipment
Our lab uses industrial ultrasonic cleaners, controlled drying chambers, and precision microscopes for component-level work. Specialized frequencies and power settings prevent damage to sensitive components during cleaning.
Liquid Damage Service Costs
Upfront pricing for cleaning and diagnosis, with clear quotes for any additional repairs needed.
Phones & Tablets
Service Includes:
- Complete disassembly and inspection
- Professional ultrasonic cleaning
- Controlled drying process
- Microscopic damage assessment
- Basic functionality testing
- Detailed diagnosis report
Laptops & Computers
Service Includes:
- Complete teardown of all components
- Motherboard ultrasonic cleaning
- Keyboard and component cleaning
- Professional drying chamber
- Comprehensive testing protocol
- Component-level diagnosis
Important Pricing Information
Device Function vs Data Recovery
Understanding your priority helps us focus our repair efforts for the best possible outcome.
Device Function Priority
Goal: Restore device to full working condition for continued daily use.
Our Approach:
- Focus on critical system components
- Replace damaged parts for reliability
- Optimize for long-term functionality
- Comprehensive testing of all features
Data Recovery Priority
Goal: Retrieve photos, documents, and personal data even if device can’t be fully restored.
Our Approach:
- Temporary repairs to enable data access
- Direct storage chip data extraction
- Partial system restoration for backup
- Priority on storage and memory circuits
Our Recommendation: If you haven’t backed up recently and have irreplaceable photos or documents, prioritize data recovery first. We can often achieve both goals, but clear priority helps us allocate time and resources effectively.
Liquid Damage Repair FAQ
Answers to the most common questions about water damage repair and recovery.
Can you guarantee my device will be fixed?
No repair shop can guarantee liquid damage recovery due to the unpredictable nature of corrosion. However, our professional cleaning and diagnosis within hours of damage gives the best possible chance of recovery. Success rates vary from 35% (saltwater) to 95% (clean water) depending on liquid type and response time.
My device turns on – does it need professional cleaning?
Yes, absolutely. Corrosion continues even after the device appears to work normally. Components can fail days or weeks later due to ongoing chemical reactions. Professional cleaning removes contaminants that cause delayed failures and prevents future problems.
Will putting my device in rice help?
No. Rice only absorbs moisture from the air but doesn’t remove corrosive contaminants from inside the device. It can also introduce dust and particles into ports and speakers. Professional ultrasonic cleaning is the only effective way to remove damaging residues.
How long does liquid damage repair take?
Initial cleaning and diagnosis: 24-48 hours. If additional component replacement is needed, total repair time can be 3-7 days depending on parts availability. We prioritize liquid damage cases due to the time-sensitive nature.
What happens if you can’t fix my device?
The cleaning and diagnosis fee still applies as we’ve performed complex procedures to assess and stabilize your device. However, we often can recover data even from unrepairable devices, and the cleaning process prevents further deterioration if you want to attempt recovery elsewhere.
Can you recover data from a device that won’t turn on?
Often yes. We can sometimes restore minimal functionality just for data extraction, or in severe cases, perform direct storage chip recovery. Data recovery has higher success rates than full device restoration – around 80-90% for most liquid damage scenarios.
Should I try to dry it myself first?
No. Home drying methods cannot remove corrosive residues and may cause heat damage. The most important thing is to get it to professionals quickly while the damage is still reversible. Every hour of delay reduces recovery chances.
Do you handle insurance claims for water damage?
We provide detailed repair reports and documentation that you can submit to your insurance company. We cannot guarantee insurance coverage as policies vary, but we’ll provide all necessary documentation for your claim.
Device Got Wet? Time Is Critical
Professional liquid damage repair with advanced cleaning techniques. The sooner you act, the better your chances of full recovery.
