Floods are one of the most frequent natural hazards in Canada. These floods can occur any time of the year, often caused by the rapid melting of thick snowpacks, ice jams, or heavy rainfall. Whatever the case, floods can cause a lot of damage to homes and properties.
If you’re unfortunate to have your phone water-damaged after a flood, do not fret, as it’s possible to save it. Whether pursuing a career as a cell phone repair technician or a tech enthusiast, you can use a few tricks to fix a water-damaged phone. So, join us in this short manual we put together in collaboration with experts from Jooble on the steps to take to repair a water-damaged phone.
Step 1: Retrieve Your Phone Quickly
If you find yourself in a situation where your phone is drenched in flood water, quickly fish it out. If the phone is still on, it’s a good sign that you can salvage it. However, it would be best if you acted fast, as the water has yet to cause any major damage.
Most modern phones are water resistant, rated IP68, which means they can be submerged in at least 5 feet of water for up to 30 minutes without getting damaged. Note that the longer the phone stays in the water, the more likely it will get damaged.
Step 2: Power Off Your Device
Power off the phone immediately to prevent short circuits that may damage the device’s vital components. Water may be a poor conductor of charges, but it can still cause much damage if it gets into your phone. So, powering off the phone will ensure no charges are going through the phone while you try to get it drained.
Step 3: Take the Phone Apart
If you have a phone with a removable battery, remove it to be on the safe side. Although your phone is powered down, it doesn’t mean charges don’t flow through it. Also, remove other phone parts, such as the SIM, back covering, and every other removable part.
Step 4: Dry the phone
Now that you’ve taken your phone apart, dry it. There are so many ways you can dry the phone:
- Use a dry dishcloth or paper tower
- Use a silica gel pack
- Air dry it
- Use a vacuum
- Use isopropyl solution or rubbing alcohol
Note, do not use direct heat to dry the phone. While it may seem logical to apply heat to vaporize the water, the high temperature can damage the internal component of the phone.
Step 5: Try Powering the Phone
Depending on your drying method, it may take days for the water to completely dry. When it appears the phone is completely dry, assemble it and try powering it. If the DIY method fails, it’s best to take the phone to a trained technician.
Conclusion
Water-damaged phones are a common mishap. So, if you find yourself in this stressful situation, try this short manual. You may be able to salvage the phone yourself or increase the odds of it being salvageable.
