Electronic devices are sensitive pieces of equipment. Any kind of liquid spill can be devastating. Therefore, if you happen to spill water on your MacBook Air, there are a couple of things you should immediately do.
If there’s any damage, don’t worry, it’s possible to fix your MacBook Air. Before getting into all the details, we’ll explain why mixing water and electronics is a problem and what you should immediately do if it happens.
What Happens When You Spill Water on Your MacBook Air?
There are two serious issues when water comes in contact with your computer.
First, water causes a short circuit. That’s why there’s a big chance that one of the laptop’s parts will immediately stop working.
Second, water or any other liquid will corrode MacBook components. If your laptop successfully lives through the spilling, you should still open it to assess the damage. The process of corrosion is a slow one. You might think that everything’s OK with your MacBook Air, while in fact, it’s slowly dying.
Here are a couple of things that you should immediately do once your MacBook Air comes in contact with water.
What Should You First Do?
If you spill water or any other liquid on your MacBook Air, there are a couple of steps you should immediately take.
- Turn off the MacBook Air immediately.
- Disconnect it from all the other devices.
- Remove the battery if possible. Even though it’s off, the battery still powers it.
- Open it halfway and place it in a way it makes a tent.
- Leave it to dry off completely.
Taking these steps might help you prevent the MacBook Air from dying. However, there’s more you’ll need to do.
The problem is that many people believe that once the MacBook Air is dry, they can keep using it. We wish that things were that simple. However, it’s necessary to open it.
What Tools Do You Need to Repair Your MacBook Air?
If you want to open your MacBook Air you’re going to need several different tools. They include the following.
- MacBook Air repair kit – You can get one of the repair kits on Amazon. They consist of various tools that’ll allow you to open your MacBook Air seamlessly.
- Distilled water – It’s perfect for cleaning MacBook Air components from any sugary residue. It’ll also neutralize acids.
- Isopropyl Alcohol – Get alcohol with 70% reagent grade. The higher the grade, the better. While it’s a bit pricy, it’s the best option for cleaning your internal components.
- Hot Air Rework Station – You’ll only need this tool if you’re going to replace or repair the smallest components on the main board.
- Stereo Microscope – Like a hot air rework station, you’ll need a stereo microscope to make repairs to the smallest components.
- Soldering Iron – That is another professional tool that you should have. It’ll serve for advanced repairs.
- Ultrasonic Cleaner – If you want to get rid of corrosion, you’ll have to invest in this tool. It’s a must-have when it comes to liquid damage repair.
You don’t have to get all these tools right from the start. You can first open your MacBook Air to inspect it. However, if you determine that the damage is significant, you’ll have to get everything from the list above.
Take a Detailed Look
When you open your MacBook Air, you’re going to look for any corrosion across various parts. Let’s go over all the parts that require a closer look.
- Keyboard and mousepad – These are the first parts that are likely to come in contact with water. Thoroughly search for corrosion. If you notice it, we highly suggest that you replace them.
- Logic board – You should pay special attention to the logic board. If you can’t afford a microscope, you should get a magnifying glass at least. That way, you’ll be able to examine all wiring, sockets, and SMD components. In case there’s any liquid, you’ll need to use the ultrasonic cleaner. On top of that, SMD parts will require replacement.
- Storage – Our advice for you is also to check the storage unit. If you notice any liquid traces, it’s best to replace the SSD.
Once you have carefully examined your MacBook Air, it’s time to get the parts.
Where to Get the Parts
Like many other industry giants, Apple is fighting to prevent people from repairing their MacBook Airs. That’s why it’s harder to get a hold of the original parts, but at the same time, it’s something you must do. Any counterfeits will cause instability of your MacBook Air.
When you’re looking for MacBook Air parts, make sure to get them from authorized repair shops. That way, you can rest assured that all of the components will perform as intended.
Liquid Type Matters
Different types of liquids create various degrees of damage. There are two elements to consider.
The first one’s acidity. It impacts how much and how fast will the MacBook Air parts corrode. The more acidic the liquid, the faster the corrosion is going to occur. For example, damage from water or tea is the easiest to solve. However, wine or lemon juice will corrode the parts quicker.
The second’s the composition of liquids. A good example is soda, which has plenty of sugar. The problem appears once the liquid evaporates, the sugar residue remains on the computer parts.
That’s why distilled water and ultrasonic clear are necessary. Any residue from the liquid requires a thorough cleaning, and these two are incredibly efficient.
Get in Touch With Professionals
If all you have to do is change a MacBook Air part, it might be best to replace it on your own. However, if any soldering is required, we suggest that you reach out to the professionals.
Getting all the equipment for a single repair might be a bad investment. Consider what option’s best for you. We’re here to help you with your MacBook water damage repair.