Phone Water Damage

So you have sent for your beloved iPhone or Samsung for a swim and now wondering why it doesn’t work, or what the best thing to do is, so let’s get into it. It’s one of most controversial topics with plenty of bad advice and wives tales to throw into the mix. So read this article to fully understand the best action to take.

If you’ve gotten your phone wet in the rain, dropped it in water or spilled liquid over it, you’re not alone. One study suggests 25% of smartphone users have damaged their smartphone with water or some other kind of liquid.

Liquid penetrating a smartphone can affect the device in several ways. It could lead to:

• blurry photos, if moisture gets trapped in the camera lens
• ruffled audio, or no audio
• liquid droplets under the screen
• an inability to charge
• the rusting of internal parts, or
• a total end to all functionality.

Just to be clear, no iPhone out there is completely waterproof. If you leave a phone in water or some other liquid for long enough, it’s gonna die. For that reason, manufacturers tend to use the term “water resistant.”

The International Electrotechnic Commission uses ratings to describe a device’s durability. This is called a device’s IP Code. The IP Code is made up of two numbers. The first number represents a device’s protection against solid objects (from 0 to 6, 0 being not protective at all). The second number represents a device’s protection against liquids (from 0—9, 0 being not protective at all).

We often hear customers say, I thought iPhones were meant to be waterproof? As mentioned above, the reality is they are only water resistant at best and ask yourself one question. If they are supposed to be waterproof, why is that not covered by Apple’s own warranty?

Water damaged phone what to do?

Save the rice for Curry night!

Water Damaged Phone Steps

• 1: DONT PANIC! What no one fails to tell you is in the vast majority of cases more damage is caused after the water exposure, with customers still attempting to use it or charge the device. If you can turn the phone off do so! and NEVER charge a device that has been exposed to water otherwise you will be changing the charging port too at the very least too.
• 2. If your phone is in a case or screen protector, take it off. 
• 3. Remove the battery (if you can) and remove the SIM tray.
• 4. Wipe down the device with a dry, absorbent towel. 
• 5. Blow away the excess fluid carefully with compressed air or by carefully blowing on it. 
• 6. Let it sit and dry out, with open ports facing down to allow water to drain from the charging port.

At this point you have done everything you can to prevent further damage. Our personal advice would be, if you have a trusted phone repair technician ask them to open it and get it dried out and cleaned fully before attempting to turn it back on. Phone repairs are expensive and in our opinion it’s worth just getting someone to give it a once over first as it could save you hundreds of pounds in the future.

Repair phone water damage

A water damaged phone or tablet does not necessarily mean the end for your device? But it should only be undertaken by a qualified phone technician. 

Usually a check of the circuit board for any components that are damaged or corroded by oxidation, followed by a full diagnosis to establish exactly what components may have become compromised. If the  initial treatment is successful at this stage, it may just be a case of requiring replacement phone components. Ultrasonic cleaning is sometimes required in certain cases depending on the level of water exposure.

How much will it cost to repair water damage?

This is the million dollar question and it’s an impossible question to answer as each water damaged mobile phone will be different. As mentioned, following the above steps will help eliminate further damage. However in some situations, albeit rare, it’s what we call an “insurance job” with the potential repair cost out weighing the phone’s cost so its important to act fast by following the above steps.

Phone Water Damage Conclusion:

In some circumstances a phone can get wet and show no signs of damage, then a few days later its symptoms begin. This is due to water moving around internally or corrosion spreading like cancer. In others it’s apparent very quickly that the screen at the very least needs replacing, showing green lines, being unresponsive or completely blank. Either Way when a phone has been exposed to water damage  the same process as above should be applied whether you can see damage or not to prevent further phone damage or loss of data.

Many thanks for taking time to read this article we hope you found it useful. If you believe we have missed something or would like something covered in more depth please don’t hesitate to contact us and remember if you need one of our technicians to repair your phone just get in touch.