Can Water-Damaged Electronics Be Fixed?

9/25/2018 (Permalink)

Air mover on a water loss in Riverton, UT

Water can make flooded electronics or devices exposed to leaks or spills unstable. Ions such as sodium or chloride can cause electronics to short out and lead to corrosion. If you are dealing with electronic damage due to water in a commercial property in Riverton, UT, consider the following factors to determine whether devices can be restored or should be replaced.

How Extensive Is the Damage?

Beyond initial exposure to water, other sources of damage include the following.

Corrosion
Dead LCD screens
Short-circuiting
Ruined batteries

Water damage may be less extensive if a device is powered off when exposure occurs. Minerals in water can make a connection in a device that is turned on, or that current is running through, and cause short-circuiting that will ruin flooded electronics. If a device is powered off and no current is running through, you may be able to thoroughly dry the water and restore the device.

Take Steps To Repair the Device

Exercise caution when working on devices that have previously been exposed to flooding, leaks, or spills, as short-circuiting can still occur. The best approach to repairing electronics with water damage is to rely on the expertise of commercial water damage restoration experts.

If you want to undertake restoration yourself, try to get handheld devices as dry as possible. You may want to flush larger appliances or devices with clean, pure water free from ions to dislodge sediment. Corrosion will increase depending on the duration of time a device has been exposed to water. Use a cotton swab dipped in cleaning solution, such as isopropyl alcohol, to clean crust off connectors or charging ports.

Avoid Making Damage Worse

You may undermine the ability of skilled professionals to restore a device by attempting restoration on your own. It is usually the best idea to turn flooded electronics over to restoration specialists in Riverton, UT.