How To Handle Water Damaged Electronics

10/28/2021 (Permalink)

What to do after electronics get wet

In any situation involving the submersion or splashing of an electronic device in any liquid, the first step is to disconnect any power source as soon as this is safely possible. Remember to stay calm and carefully follow the proper procedures to keep yourself and your electronics safe. 

1. Pay attention to your personal safety first! Use caution when disconnecting any device from household current or any other source. If you are standing in water or your clothes are wet please remove yourself from any potential shock hazard before even thinking about retrieving a submerged or soaked electronic device.
2. If the electronic device is still submerged and is connected to an external power source, find a safe way to disconnect it. If possible, find a circuit breaker or switch for that source of power and switch it off. Use caution if you choose to remove a plug or power adapter from an outlet that has not been switched off.
3. Retrieving a submerged or soaked electronic device that contains a battery presents its own dangers. A shorted battery may be a fire and/or chemical hazard. If you see or feel any heat, smoke, steam, bubbling, bulging, or melting avoid handling the electronic device.
4. If the device is still on, turn it off.
5. Rotate and shake the device to try to let any fluid drain out.
6. If possible, remove the battery.
7. Have a professional disassemble the device to allow any remaining liquid to drain and to begin cleaning the internal components. This is particularly important with acidic liquids such as fruit juice or alkaline liquids such as laundry water. Having a professional disassemble and properly clean the device is the best way to ensure your device will come back to life and continue to work without corrosion and other issues. 
8. TIP: Rice and similar desiccants will not help! These will create more damage in the long term as it does not remove the contaminants from the liquid spill.

For more information on what to do after water enters your home or business, head to our blog, and always be sure to give us a call at (704) 840-6112. Don’t forget SERVPRO of South Mecklenburg County is here for Charlotte, NC, 24/7 365 days a year, no matter what kind of disaster. 

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