It’s a heart-stopping moment. That split second when your phone, tablet, or laptop takes an unexpected swim is a feeling we all dread. The single most important thing you can do is resist the urge to see if it still works. Your first move, without a doubt, must be to power it down immediately. This simple action stops electricity from flowing through wet circuits, which is what causes the real, permanent damage.

Fixing water damage is a race against time, and what you do in that first hour can make all the difference.

The First Hour: What to Do When Your Device Gets Wet

Let's be clear: the moments right after your device gets wet are crucial. What you do—and just as importantly, what you don't do—can be the difference between a successful rescue and a trip to buy a new one. Forget the myths you've heard online. This is your practical, emergency action plan, based on what our Perth repair technicians see day in and day out.

The real enemy here isn't the water itself. It’s the combination of water and electricity. When a device is on, water creates new pathways for the current to flow, causing short circuits that can instantly fry the delicate logic board—the brain of your device. That’s why turning it off isn't just a suggestion; it's the only first step that matters.

Your Immediate Action Checklist

Okay, take a breath. Don't panic. Just work through these steps calmly and methodically. Every action here is designed to minimise the initial shock to the system and give your device the best fighting chance.

Power It Down. Now. Don't hesitate. Don't check for notifications. Press and hold the power button until the screen goes completely black. If it’s already off, great—leave it off.
Unplug Everything. Disconnect any charging cables, headphones, USB drives, or any other accessory plugged into it.
Take It Apart (As Much As You Can). If your device has a removable battery, pop it out straight away. Eject the SIM card tray and any memory cards. The more openings you can create, the better the air can circulate and the easier it is for moisture to escape.

These first few actions are absolutely fundamental to preventing catastrophic failure.

An infographic showing three steps to rescue a phone from water damage: power off, remove SIM, and dry.

Following this simple, three-part process dramatically increases the odds of a successful recovery. You're cutting off the power that causes shorts and giving the device a chance to start drying out.

Common Mistakes That Can Wreck Your Device

Here at our Perth workshop, we’ve seen countless devices that could have been saved if their owners hadn't made a few common, well-intentioned mistakes. Please, avoid these at all costs.

To make it crystal clear, here’s a quick guide on what to do versus what not to do.

Immediate Water Damage Response: Do This, Not That

Action to Take Immediately (Do This)	Common Mistake to Avoid (Not That)
Power off the device instantly.	Plugging it in to "see if it still charges."
Gently pat dry with a microfibre cloth.	Using a hairdryer or heat gun, which can melt components.
Remove the battery, SIM, and memory cards.	Shaking the device vigorously, spreading water further inside.
Place it in a dry, well-ventilated area.	Burying it in a bag of rice (this is a myth).
Position it to allow water to drain out.	Attempting to turn it back on "just to check."

The absolute worst thing you can do is plug it in. Sending a jolt of electricity into a wet device is often the final nail in the coffin. Another harmful myth is the old bag of rice trick. Sure, rice absorbs moisture, but it's terribly inefficient and, worse, it introduces fine starch dust and debris into delicate ports, creating a whole new set of problems.

"The golden rule is simple: kill the power. A device that's off and wet is a patient with a chance. A device that's on and wet is often a lost cause. Every second counts."

This kind of accident is far more common than people think. In Australia, internal water damage from burst pipes or appliance failures accounts for a staggering 34% of all property-related insurance claims—more than fire or theft. And here in WA, our claim rates are 20% higher than the national average.

For major household incidents, the principles are the same, just on a larger scale. A professional guide to flood damage restoration also stresses the importance of immediate action to mitigate ongoing harm. The same logic applies to your personal electronics.

Once you’ve navigated these critical first steps, the next phase is all about proper drying techniques, which we’ll cover in detail. For more specific advice, you might find our dedicated guide on what to do with a wet phone helpful: https://ctf.com.au/how-to-fix-water-damaged-phone/

Effective DIY Drying Methods That Actually Work

Wet hands gently drying a water-damaged smartphone on a blue towel with a 'Power Off Now' warning.

Alright, you’ve made it through the crucial first hour. Your device is powered down and stable. Now comes the real test of patience: drying it out properly. This is where a lot of well-intentioned advice can go horribly wrong.

First thing’s first: forget the bowl of rice. I’ve seen this myth cost people their phones. It’s a terrible drying agent and, worse, it introduces starchy dust into sensitive ports and openings.

The other big mistake? Grabbing a hairdryer. That intense, direct heat is a recipe for disaster. It can warp plastic components, melt the delicate solder holding everything together, and actually force moisture deeper inside. When it comes to DIY drying, brute force isn’t the answer. We need to create the right environment for water to evaporate gently and safely.

The goal here is simple: encourage evaporation over a good long while. This minimises the chance of corrosion, that nasty chemical reaction that starts when water, oxygen, and metal get together. You absolutely can save a device at home, but it has to be done the right way.

Harnessing the Power of Airflow

Your most powerful tool in this fight is something we all have access to: air. A constant, gentle airflow is your absolute best friend. It works by wicking the damp air away from your device, which in turn pulls more moisture out from the inside.

Think of it like drying your clothes on the line. A shirt dries way faster on a breezy day than on a still, humid one, even if the temperature is identical. We’re just creating that same effect on a smaller scale for your phone, tablet, or laptop.

Find a dry, well-ventilated spot in your house. Lay the device on a microfibre cloth and, if you can, point a small fan at it from a metre or so away. You’re not trying to create a wind tunnel here; a low, gentle setting is all you need to create a consistent breeze across its surfaces.

The 48-Hour Drying Checklist

Patience is everything. For the next 48 hours, your only job is to leave the device alone in its little drying station. This waiting period is completely non-negotiable. I can't count the number of times I've seen a potentially salvageable device get fried because someone got impatient and tried to power it on too soon.

Here’s what you should be doing during this critical time:

Position for Success: Prop the device up so gravity can lend a hand. For a phone, that means standing it upright against a book with the charging port facing down.
Maximise Openings: Keep the SIM tray out. If you were able to remove a back cover or battery, leave them off to expose as much of the internals to the air as possible.
Create a Dry Zone: An ideal spot is near a dehumidifier, but any dry room with good airflow will do the trick. Just keep it out of naturally humid areas like the bathroom or laundry.

This slow-and-steady approach gives the internal components the best possible chance to dry out completely before you even think about reintroducing electricity.

Using Desiccants The Right Way

While rice is out, proper desiccants can give you a real edge. The best ones are the little silica gel packets you find in new shoe boxes, camera bags, or even packets of beef jerky.

These things are engineered to suck moisture out of the air, creating a super-dry micro-environment around your device. This is far more effective and a whole lot cleaner than the old rice trick.

A key fact to remember is that water damage is progressive. Corrosion can start forming in as little as 24 hours. Creating a dry environment with desiccants and airflow helps slow this chemical reaction, buying you critical time.

To use them properly, pop your device and a handful of silica packets into a zip-lock bag or an airtight container. Make sure the packets are intact—you don’t want the little beads getting loose. Seal it up and leave it for the full 48-hour period. You can even alternate, giving it a few hours with the fan and a few hours in the sealed bag.

What to Expect and What Not to Do

During that 48-hour wait, it's vital to resist the urge to tinker. Stick to the plan and avoid these common pitfalls that can undo all your hard work.

What to Do:

Check in on it. Make sure the fan is still running or that your sealed container hasn't been disturbed.
Seriously, be patient. The full 48 hours are non-negotiable for a reason. Moisture can hide in the tiniest crevices.
Get ready for the next phase: a very careful, step-by-step assessment before you even look at the power button.

What Not to Do:

Do not shake the device. All you’re doing is sloshing water around to places that might have been dry.
Do not use heat. No ovens, no microwaves, and don’t leave it on the dashboard in the Perth sun. This will cause permanent, irreversible damage.
Do not try to turn it on. This is the golden rule. Even one tiny, hidden drop of moisture can create a short circuit and kill your device for good.

By following these careful, methodical steps, you're giving your waterlogged tech the best possible chance of a DIY recovery. Once the 48 hours are up, we can move on to the moment of truth: assessing if your efforts have paid off.

So, How Does It Look? Checking Your Device After Drying

A desk setup with a phone in a stand, a small fan, an open book, and desiccant packets, with “DRY SAFELY” text.

After what probably felt like an eternity, the 48-hour waiting period is over. It’s the moment of truth. You’ve been patient, you’ve done everything right, and now it’s time to see if your efforts paid off.

But hold on. This is where a lot of people make a critical mistake. The temptation to just plug it in and see if it lights up is huge, but you absolutely must resist. Power is the last thing you want to introduce if there's any hidden trouble.

First, we need to play detective. A careful visual check is your best bet for spotting lingering issues that could cause a short circuit the second electricity hits the board. Think of it as a final pre-flight inspection before you try to bring your device back online.

The Cautious Visual Inspection

Get yourself a bright light source—the torch on another phone is perfect—and prepare to scrutinise your device from every possible angle. You’re hunting for tiny, subtle clues that moisture is still hiding inside.

Here’s exactly what you’re looking for:

Behind the Camera Lens: Peer closely into both the main rear camera and the front-facing selfie camera. See any fog, condensation, or small water droplets? That’s a definite red flag that the inside isn't fully dry.
Underneath the Screen: Tilt the device in the light. Look for any faint watermarks, cloudy patches, or splotches of discolouration behind the glass. This is a classic sign that liquid seeped between the display layers.
Ports and Grilles: Shine that light directly into the charging port, headphone jack (if it has one), and speaker openings. You're on the lookout for any green or white crusty build-up. That’s corrosion.

Corrosion is the real villain in any water damage story. It's a chemical reaction that starts eating away at the delicate metal contacts and circuits almost immediately, sometimes in less than 24 hours. If you spot any, stop right there. Do not try to turn it on.

The Moment of Truth: Powering On

If your visual inspection gives you the all-clear—no obvious moisture or corrosion—you can cautiously proceed. Pop the SIM tray back in and, if you removed it, re-insert the battery.

Alright, take a deep breath. Press the power button once and watch closely. What happens next will sort you into one of three camps, each with a very different road ahead.

Whatever you do, do not plug the device into a charger yet. You need to see if it can boot up on its own battery power first. Pushing mains power into a potentially compromised system is asking for trouble.

Understanding what you see is key to making the right next move.

Interpreting the Outcome

The device's response—or lack of one—tells you everything.

Scenario 1: The Best Case

What Happens: It boots up! The screen looks normal, and everything seems to be working as it should.
What to Do: Fantastic news! Your quick thinking and patience likely saved it. Don’t declare victory just yet, though. Go through and test everything methodically: make a call to check the microphone and speaker, play some music, take a photo, and connect to Wi-Fi. If it all checks out, just keep an eye on it for the next few days.

Scenario 2: The Partial Success

What Happens: The device turns on, but something is clearly off. Maybe the screen is flickering, you see weird lines, or a key function like the speaker or camera isn't working.
What to Do: This is a mixed bag. It usually means the main brain (the logic board) survived, but specific components were fried. At this stage, poking around further yourself is more likely to cause harm than good. This is your cue to bring it to a professional for a proper diagnosis.

Scenario 3: The Unresponsive Device

What Happens: You press the button and… nothing. A black, lifeless screen.
What to Do: Don't panic, and definitely don't keep mashing the power button. This almost always points to a serious issue like a fried power circuit, a dead battery, or a major short on the logic board. This is well beyond a DIY fix and needs an expert technician to look at it right away.

Pulling off a successful water damage repair at home is a huge win. But knowing your limits and when to call for backup is just as important. If you find yourself in scenario two or three, your best move is to get professional help.

When to Stop DIY and Call a Repair Professional

You’ve done the hard work, been incredibly patient, and given your device the best possible shot at a DIY recovery. But sometimes, even with the best intentions, the damage is just too severe for at-home methods.

Knowing when to throw in the towel is just as crucial as knowing what to do in the first place. Pushing a compromised device too far can easily turn a repairable problem into a permanent, expensive one.

The reality is that some situations are simply beyond the scope of a fan and some silica packets. Recognising these red flags early is the key to saving your device and, more importantly, your valuable data.

Clear Signs You Need an Expert

If you power on your device after drying and get anything other than a perfectly normal start-up, it’s time to stop. Immediately.

Continuing to use a malfunctioning device can cause a cascade of failures, shorting out components that might have otherwise survived the initial dunking.

Here are the undeniable signals that you need professional help:

No Power at All: You press the button, and… nothing. This is the classic outcome for severe damage and usually points to a fried power delivery system or a major short on the main circuit board.
Erratic Behaviour: The device actually turns on, but the screen flickers, it gets unusually hot, or it’s making strange buzzing or crackling noises. If it keeps rebooting on its own, that's another bad sign. These are all symptoms of unstable electrical currents.
Visible Corrosion: You’ve spotted some green or white crusty residue in the charging port or on any visible components. This is basically a chemical cancer eating away at the delicate circuitry, and it needs to be professionally cleaned before it spreads.
Specific Component Failure: The phone turns on, but the screen is dead, the touchscreen doesn't respond, or the Wi-Fi refuses to connect. This tells you a specific part has been fried and needs a technician to replace it.

Trying to fix these issues yourself without proper diagnostic tools is a massive gamble. You’re far more likely to make things worse.

The Problem with Different Liquids

Not all spills are created equal. While clean water is bad enough, other liquids introduce aggressive contaminants that accelerate the destruction, making a professional clean-out non-negotiable.

The moment your device is exposed to anything other than fresh water, the clock starts ticking much, much faster. The corrosive and conductive properties of these liquids mean that DIY drying is rarely enough to prevent long-term failure.

Think about these common scenarios here in Perth:

Saltwater: This is the absolute worst-case scenario. A drop in the ocean at Cottesloe Beach introduces salt, which is extremely corrosive and conductive. It drastically increases the chances of immediate, widespread short circuits and needs professional attention right away.
Sugary or Sticky Drinks: Spilling a Coke or juice on your laptop introduces sugar, which doesn't evaporate. It leaves behind a sticky, conductive film that coats the motherboard, causing components to fail and attracting all sorts of gunk.
Chlorinated Water: A quick dip in the backyard swimming pool introduces chlorine, a chemical that actively eats away at metals like the copper found all over your device's circuit boards.

In every one of these cases, simply letting the device air-dry won't remove the harmful residues left behind.

What a Professional Technician Does Differently

When you bring a water-damaged device to a repair shop like ours in Balga, we go far beyond just leaving it in front of a fan. We have specialised tools and proven processes designed to tackle liquid damage at a microscopic level.

Our technicians will perform a multi-stage process that you simply can't replicate at home.

The Professional Repair Process:

Complete Teardown: First, we fully disassemble the device, carefully removing the logic board and every other component.
Ultrasonic Cleaning: The logic board is then submerged in a specialised isopropyl alcohol solution and placed in an ultrasonic cleaner. This machine uses high-frequency sound waves to blast away corrosion and residue from every tiny crevice that a brush could never reach.
Microscopic Inspection: After cleaning, we examine the board under a high-powered microscope to hunt for any burnt-out micro-components, like tiny capacitors, resistors, or filters.
Micro-Soldering: If we find damaged components, our skilled technicians use incredibly precise micro-soldering equipment to replace them—a procedure that requires a seriously steady hand and years of experience.

Water damage is a massive issue for properties as well as devices. In Australia, it actually accounts for 24% of all home insurance claims, with average payouts around A$5,000. When the damage is extensive, knowing how to find a reliable Water Damage Restoration Service is crucial for both homes and businesses.

Ultimately, calling a professional isn’t admitting defeat; it’s making the smartest strategic move to save your tech. If you need an expert opinion, you can find trusted local help by searching for a computer repair service near you.

A Look Inside a Professional Repair and Data Recovery Service

Handing over your water-damaged phone or laptop can be nerve-wracking. We get it. You're trusting a specialist with a device that holds your photos, contacts, and important files. So, let’s walk through what actually happens behind the counter at our Balga workshop when we tackle a water-damaged device.

The first thing we absolutely don't do is try to turn it on. That’s the quickest way to cause more damage. Instead, we start with a careful and complete disassembly to get a clear look at the internal components and see exactly what we're dealing with. This initial inspection is always transparent, so we can give you an accurate, no-obligation quote before any real work begins.

The Triage and Diagnostic Process

Once we've got it open, our technicians know exactly what to look for. We check the Liquid Contact Indicators (LCIs)—those little stickers that change colour with moisture—and examine the logic board under a microscope for any signs of corrosion, no matter how small.

This detailed assessment helps us figure out the best course of action, which usually falls into one of three categories:

Component Replacement: Sometimes, you get lucky. The damage might be contained to a single, replaceable part like a charging port or a battery that took the hit from a short circuit.
Ultrasonic Cleaning: If liquid has spread across the logic board, we bring in the ultrasonic cleaner. This machine uses high-frequency vibrations and a special cleaning solution to safely blast away corrosion from all those tiny, hard-to-reach spots.
Micro-Soldering: This is where the real skill comes in. It involves working under a microscope with highly precise tools to replace tiny, damaged micro-components directly on the logic board itself.

Only after this proper diagnosis can we confidently map out the best way to bring your device back to life.

Rescuing Your Data When All Seems Lost

There are times when the device itself is just too far gone. The corrosion might be too widespread, or the cost of replacing multiple major parts simply isn't worth it. But even if your phone or laptop will never power on again, it doesn't mean your precious data is gone forever. At this point, our focus shifts from repair to recovery.

We use specialised tools that allow us to bypass the damaged circuits and access the memory chip directly. From there, we can extract your irreplaceable photos, messages, and documents. Many people are shocked to learn that we can pull data from a completely dead device. To understand how, check out our guide on mobile phone data recovery which explains the process in more detail.

It’s a common misconception that if a phone won't turn on, the data is gone for good. In reality, the memory is often perfectly intact; the problem is that the damaged power circuits are preventing the device from accessing it.

Realistic Costs and Timelines in Perth

We believe in being upfront, especially when you’re dealing with an unexpected repair. While every case of water damage is different, we can give you a general idea of what to expect for costs and timelines here in Perth.

A minor job, like cleaning a port or replacing a single component, can often be done quite quickly. More complex logic board repairs, understandably, take a bit longer.

Typical Water Damage Repair Costs and Timelines in Perth

Here's an overview of some typical scenarios to help you make an informed decision.

Device Type & Damage Level	Estimated Repair Cost (AUD)	Typical Turnaround Time
Phone (Minor Damage) – Port cleanout, battery replacement	$90 – $180	1-2 Business Days
Tablet (Moderate Damage) – Screen/component replacement	$200 – $450	2-4 Business Days
Laptop (Severe Damage) – Logic board repair & data recovery	$400 – $800+	5-10 Business Days
Data Recovery Only – No device repair attempted	$300 – $700	3-7 Business Days

These estimates provide a realistic framework. Our goal is to give you clear options, whether that’s a full repair, a data-only recovery, or just honest advice that it’s time to look for a new device.

Common Questions About Fixing Water Damage

A technician works on a circuit board and smartphone, surrounded by professional repair tools.

After years of fixing water-damaged devices for Perth locals, we’ve heard just about every question you can imagine. It’s a stressful situation, and a lot of the advice floating around online is either outdated or just plain wrong. Let's clear up a few of the most common myths and worries.

One of the first things people ask is about those "waterproof" ratings. "My phone is IP68 rated, shouldn't it be fine?" The short answer is, not necessarily. Those ratings are tested in pure, fresh water under perfect lab conditions—a world away from a chlorinated pool or the salty Indian Ocean at Scarborough Beach.

On top of that, the rubber seals that give your phone its water resistance wear out over time. Heat, age, and even minor bumps can create tiny gaps. Think of an IP rating as a safety net for rain or a quick splash, not a green light for a swim.

Is My Data Gone Forever If the Device Won't Turn On?

This is usually the biggest fear, but there's good news: in most cases, your data is safe. Even when a device is completely dead and beyond economic repair, your photos, messages, and contacts live on a separate memory chip.

The issue isn't that the data is gone; it's that the damaged main board can't power up to access it anymore. For data recovery, our job is to bypass all that fried circuitry. We carefully remove the memory chip itself and use specialised readers to pull your files directly from it.

Your device's ability to power on and the safety of your personal data are two separate issues. A dead phone doesn't automatically mean lost memories.

Why Did My Device Fail Weeks After It Got Wet?

This one is incredibly common and frustrating. You thought you'd dodged a bullet—you dried your device, it worked perfectly for a week or two, and then one day, it just dies. This delayed death is almost always caused by corrosion.

When a device isn't professionally cleaned after a dunking, microscopic mineral deposits and gunk get left behind on the circuit board. Over the following days and weeks, these deposits pull moisture from the air, creating a perfect environment for corrosion to slowly eat away at tiny connections. Eventually, it severs something critical.

This is exactly why a professional ultrasonic clean is so crucial. It’s not just about drying; it’s about removing the contaminants that create this ticking time bomb. Proper cleaning is the only real way to prevent this kind of delayed failure and give your device a shot at a long life.

When DIY methods aren't enough, you need an expert you can trust. CTF Mobile Phones & Computer Repairs provides professional, transparent services for fixing water damage on all your electronics. Visit us online or at our Balga workshop for a free assessment. https://www.ctf.com.au

Fixing Water Damage A Perth Expert’s Guide for Electronics