Getting a water damage repair for a smartphone is currently one of the worst headaches for the mobile phone user. Water can be truly destructive to some fine parts of the cellphone. A splash, a drop in a toilet, or rain could do it. Phone manufacturers now are moving towards better water resistance, but that doesn’t help much, because sometimes the cell phone needs to be under the water for some hours or has to be placed in very rich moisture conditions. Here are the common water damage problems that a mobile phone will encounter and how to fix them.
1. Unresponsive Touchscreen
The unresponsive touchscreen is one of the obvious signs of water damage. The water present in the display of the phone may cause the phone to misbehave or stop responding. The phone may misbehave after the exposure or later when moisture inside the phone builds up.
How to Handle It:
If your screen has frozen, the first step is to power down your mobile immediately. Leaving the phone on at this point could damage internal circuitry. After that, remove the SIM card and memory card to prevent any loss of data. Place the phone in a dry, warm environment (not in direct heat like a microwave or oven). Leave in rice or silica gel for at least 24-48 hours to absorb moisture.
If the issue persists, it may need a repair. Water damage can affect the digitiser, the part that recognises touch.
2. Speaker and Microphone Malfunctions
Water can seep into a phone’s speaker and microphone. This can cause distorted sound or total audio failure. This can make it difficult to hear calls, play media, or record audio.
How to Handle It:
First, determine whether the speaker or microphone fails under certain conditions, such as making calls or playing media. After that, if the phone has been submerged in water, getting the phone dry as soon as possible and leaving it dry is essential. Gently tap the phone over a small, soft surface. This way, excess moisture collects in the speaker grills and microphone holes. One could also help by using a can of compressed air or simply blowing gently to clear out the remnants of moisture.
If your phone has no problem, then it needs to be taken to a technician who will open it to clean or replace the required parts. In some cases, the speaker or mic may need to be entirely replaced by an expert due to severe water damage.
3. Battery Issues
Water damage to the battery can cause several problems. These include rapid drainage, erratic charging, or failure to charge. Water can cause short circuits or corrosion in the battery. This can affect the power supply.
How to Handle It:
If the battery malfunctions, like a rapid discharge or failure to charge, turn off the device at once. Charging a water-damaged phone can cause further harm. It may overheat, or, in rare cases, the battery may leak. Take the device to a repair service. They can assess the battery damage.
In some cases, replacing the battery is the only solution. Modern smartphones have built-in protections. They shut down when they detect water damage. But these protections can only go so far.
4. Corrosion of Internal Components
If a mobile phone is in water for too long, it may corrode. Its internal parts, like the motherboard and connectors, are at risk. Corrosion is a major issue from water damage. It can affect many areas of the phone, including its ability to power on or perform basic functions.
How to Handle It:
Corrosion, in most cases, takes time to manifest. It may go without a notice or error on the phone until there’s serious damage or malfunction. Therefore, if any indication of corrosion, such as a discolouration or some ‘fuzzy’ sign on the phone’s metallic parts, is found, be quick. The first step is turning off the phone, as it would be at an immediate risk of suffering further damage.
Corroded parts may need to be cleaned using special equipment by the professional repair technicians. In most of the cases, however, corroded parts may require replacement or even the whole phone, generally when the damage is excessive. Waterproof cases or even the usage of phones with a higher IP rating may help prevent corrosion.
5. Camera Lens Fogging
Another common issue after water exposure is foggy or blurry camera lenses. Water may get trapped in the lens or cause condensation. This can blur photos and videos.
How to Handle It:
The most effective course of action is to dry the phone as completely as possible. Place it in a warm and dry area. Give it at least 24 hours to allow any moisture inside the lens to evaporate. Don’t wipe the lens immediately because it may damage its protective cover.
If the fogging persists, it may mean water has leaked into the lens. It may need professional cleaning or repair. Some phones have waterproof seals to keep water out of the lens. But these can wear down over time.
6. Data Loss
Water damage can cause data loss if it damages internal parts. Moisture can cause the memory chips to malfunction. This can result in the permanent loss of files, photos, contacts, and messages.
How to Handle It:
If you experience data loss after water exposure, avoid using the phone, as this could overwrite the lost data. If the phone powers on, try to recover the data. Use cloud backups or connect the phone to a computer. If the device is unresponsive, take it to a data recovery service.
In the future, back up your data to a cloud service or external device. It can reduce the impact of water damage.
Preventative Measures for Water Damage
To avoid these common mobile water damage problems, taking preventative steps is essential. Consider using waterproof phone cases or pouches. This is vital if you are often around water or doing water activities. In addition, consider your appliance’s water resistance (IP) grade prior to buying it. Newer cell phones generally have an IP67 or IP68 grading, which generally means they will last brief cases underwater. However, even such devices could be harmed by prolonged exposure.
Conclusion
Damage from water is one of the most capricious and frustrating mobile phone gnawings. It often has several adverse effects, ranging from a non-functional screen to unserviced speakers and microphones. In severe cases, it can even knock a mobile phone completely out of action. So, quick handling is the key factor while facing such damage caused by water. Try to diagnose the problem as soon as you face any of the above-mentioned effects, and take steps necessary to solve it. If there is still a problem, be ready for professional repair services. Taking such steps could lessen the possibility of a water damage occurrence. Invest in waterproof cases, and regularly create backup files.
