No matter how advanced your smartphone is, it still can’t resist water penetration. With the various outdoor activities you do, you can’t help but accidentally drop your phone into the water. Surprisingly, many insurance claims are being filed containing different liquid-related incidents from spilled water on the table to fall into swimming pools, particularly in June to August.
What Will Happen If a Phone Accidentally Drops in Water?
Water will ruin the phone’s internal components when it enters through the headphone jack, charging port, and speakers. Once it gets in, water will flow into the circuit board and cause a short circuit. If you allow water to dry on its own, this may worsen the problem further since it will cause corrosion to the circuit board, particularly if saltwater gets inside.
The problem may go unnoticed in the beginning since water takes time to reach the vulnerable components. Anyone can drop a phone into the water without seeing any immediate effects. After a few days, however, you’ll notice that your device doesn’t open anymore.
The best way to secure your phone is to use waterproof pouches or water-resistant phone cases. If possible, maintain a safe distance between coastal lines and beach cottages. In case your phone takes a plunge, consider following the suggestion from the phone experts below:
1. If water gets inside the phone, remove it immediately because the longer it stays in the water, the more it causes water to penetrate the inlets and charging ports. Turn off the phone and leave it closed temporarily to avoid overheating or short circuits.
2. Afterwards, remove the phone case, battery, micro SD card, and SIM card. Use a soft cloth and dab on the wet areas of the phone. Avoid rubbing the cloth over the phone as water may possibly get inside and reach the highly sensitive parts. You can sit the phone upright if you can’t remove the battery.
3. If the smartphone is completely submerged, you can use a portable vacuum cleaner to flush the water out. Avoid drying the phone directly in the sun. Instead, let it dry at a dry place or room temperature. You can also use a plastic bag with silica gel inside. Leave your phone inside for 48 hours or until the phone dries. Once dry, consider charging your phone and observe its touch response and button functions.
Unfortunately, most phone insurance firms do not cover liquid-related incidents because it has nothing to do with defective parts or broken screens. Often, the warranty becomes void in this situation. But some insurance providers still offer coverage for mobile phone water damage.
Indicators of Mobile Phone Water Damage
There are apparent signs to determine if your phone is experiencing water damage. See if there’s any presence of water or noticeable watermarks at the back of the screen. You can also check if there are corrosion marks somewhere on the charging port. The liquid damage indicator located in the headphone slot, SIM tray, or battery compartment can also be used.
Dipping the phone in rice is also a water-removing method used to absorb water. However, your phone may have a tendency to develop dirt and dry starch. Rice can also clog headphone jacks and charging ports, especially if the phone is squeezed too tightly.
Blow Drying Method
Expert technicians don’t recommend using a blow dryer to dry out the water. This may help remove water from the phone surface, but the heat coming out of the blower can cause damage to sensitive parts inside. It’s best to use compressed air to remove water safely.
If the charging port becomes wet, turn off the device immediately. Remove the protective case, battery, and micro SD card. Use a soft cloth and gently rub the water out. Blow up the remaining water or use an air compressor. Leave the phone dry for at least 48 hours before you charge.
Once the water in your phone gets dry, avoid charging it immediately to prevent overheating. Overheating may cause internal parts to become seriously damaged. So it is better to wait for 48 hours before turning the device back on.
There are several other additional tips which you should keep in mind. Avoid drying the phone in a microwave as it may start a fire. You must not use a hairdryer or hot air compressor because the generated heat of the device damages the internal parts. You should also think twice about using rice or grains, as this drying method may cause dirt and starches to build up inside your phone. But the most important of all, if possible, avoid using your mobile phone when you’re standing near any source of water.
If the tactics mentioned above didn’t work, you might consider taking your water-damaged device to a trustworthy repair shop nearest you. You can count on the experts at Tech Repair Depot if you ever need a reliable phone repair in Montgomery. Our service technicians are fully equipped with appropriate tools and drying equipment to restore the glory days of your beloved phone. You may visit techrepairdepotus.com to find out more about our list of comprehensive phone repair services.
