You own a Mac, right? Good choice. For decades, Apple has held on the largest market share among computer manufacturers. That’s because Apple is the most reliable brand out there.
That’s not just an assumption. We have data to back that claim up.
Based on a recent survey, Apple got an A+ for reliability. Only Samsung got an A- while other brands weren’t even close. The biggest danger to your MacBook is seemingly you, the owner.
Spilled water/juice/beer on a MacBook is a very common mishap among Apple users. If it happens to you, you need to know how to deal with it. Time is of the essence, so you need to act quickly.
Here’s everything you need to know about MacBook water damage repair.
What’s At Risk When You Spill Water on a MacBook
How much damage can a spilled glass of water do to your Mac? A whole lot. And how much can MacBook water damage repair cost? Again, a lot. If you own a new model, it can cost you several hundred dollars to repair your MacBook from damage caused by a single glass or cup.
But how often does this happen?
More often than you probably think. Roughly 6 out of 10 laptop repairs are related to spilled liquid in some capacity.
Out of all liquids, the three biggest culprits are:
- Soda (responsible for 12% of all malfunctions)
- Water (responsible for 20% of all malfunctions)
- Coffee (responsible for 40% of all malfunctions)
You don’t even need to spill an entire glass of water on your laptop to cause extreme damage. Even a few ounces of water can wreak havoc. The water will seep through your keyboard and spill on the motherboard. It can even get on components like RAM.
Your laptop contains a lot of different metals, including copper, which are highly susceptible to corrosion. Some cooling fans are made out of corroding metals. If the water comes into contact with them, it can create residue and cause your fan to stop working.
That could potentially destroy your Mac.
Now that you know that water damage MacBook Pro repair cost isn’t anything to mess with. Let’s see what can you do to salvage your machine.
What to Do When You Spill Water on Your MacBook
You don’t have to be an engineer to know that water and electricity don’t mix. If your MacBook is connected to a power source, you need to act quickly to avoid damage. Here’s what you need to do immediately after the spillage:
1. Unplug Your MacBook
First things first, you need to unplug the MacBook from the power source. It’s not safe to interact with a wet piece of machinery. If there’s anything else connected to the laptop – printers, cameras, or mouses – you should disconnect them too.
2. Power Down the Laptop
Press the Mac power button, and hold it down until the laptop turns off. Preferably do it with a non-conductive object, like a pencil. Don’t worry about the data you didn’t back up. You can afford to lose some work if you manage to save your laptop.
3. Put the MacBook in a Tent Position
Once the laptop is completely shut down, you should flip it and put it into a tent position. That will allow all of the liquid to drain from the laptop. While it will pull the water back into the keyboard, it will still keep it from the more vital components.
4. Wipe the Laptop Carefully
Check the exterior of the laptop. See if any part of the Mac is wet. If it is, you should take a piece of dry cloth and wipe it. You can also dry some of the USB ports and vents with something smaller, like a cotton swab.
5. Wait 48 Hours to Turn It On
Now comes the most challenging part. You need to let the laptop dry for as long as possible. You should wait a minimum of 48 hours before turning the machine back on. Of course, you can use a hairdryer to speed the process up, but you still need to spend a few hours on it.
During this time, make sure to put the MacBook near an airing cupboard or a radiator. You can also angle a fan at it, to make the liquid evaporate quicker.
How to Repair MacBook Water Damage
The process we described above may save your laptop. But it doesn’t mean that there won’t be any damage. Can you assess the damage and repair MacBook water damage all on your own? It’s not impossible, but if you’re a novice, DIY repairs aren’t recommendable.
To explain this, we’re going to go over some of the basic steps of MacBook repair. Hopefully, it will help you decide if you want to repair the laptop yourself or take it to a maintenance specialist.
1. Tools for MacBook Water Damage Repair
Before you start making any repairs, you need the right tools. You’ll probably need:
- A tech toolkit with all of the screwdrivers, bolts, and blades.
- Pure distilled water to neutralize the acids
- 90% alcohol to clean the laptop up
- One soldering iron for micro-soldering tasks
In addition, you’re going to need genuine MacBook parts manufactured and approved by Apple. As you can imagine, all of this may end up costing you hundreds of dollars.
2. Disassemble Your MacBook
Take a look at the laptop. Look for signs of corrosion. If there’s even the smallest sign, you need to take apart the entire machine. Even the smallest amounts of corrosion can potentially lead to a complete system failure in the future. Pay special attention to the keyboard and trackpad.
3. Inspect the Logic Board for Water Exposure
If the logic board has been exposed to water, it needs to be cleaned. Moreover, you need to check if the water has damaged any SMD components. If so, you have to order replacements.
4. Test the Battery and Display Connections
The battery needs to be tested too when there’s a spillage. Unfortunately, replacing the battery on a MacBook can be quite challenging for a newbie. Lastly, don’t forget to check the display connections. If they got wet in the process, there’s a chance you’ll have to replace the cables or the entire monitor.
Don’t Wait for Too Long
Can a MacBook with water damage be repaired? Of course, it can. No need to worry about it.
However, MacBook water damage repair isn’t something to be taken lightly. Even if your Mac laptop is functioning correctly a few days after you spilled water on it, you should still consider contacting a specialist to evaluate it.
With services like iFixOnWheelz, you don’t even need to take your laptop. iFixOnWheelz specialists are ready to visit you and inspect the MacBook water damage. Don’t wait; contact iFixOnWheelz and book a repair today.