Small business owners like yourself often depend on mobile technology, so it's easy to imagine your heart skipping a beat when you notice that one of your devices has sustained mobile water damage.
For example, let's say you dropped your smartphone in the toilet. Time is of the essence. To save your phone (and bring it back to life), implement the following three steps as soon as possible:
1. Power Off
If the phone was turned on before it entered the water, immediately turn it off and don't plug it in (even if it appears to still work). This is an important step because neglecting to turn the device off can cause it to short circuit — and create irreversible damage if water is trapped inside.
Remove any protective casing, and pat dry the outside of the phone with a cloth to absorb water and moisture. Lifehack recommends putting your dissembled phone in an airtight bag of dry rice to help suck up the moisture.
2. Remove the Battery
If your smartphone has a removable battery, take it out after the device comes into contact with water. This will help to prevent corrosion from occurring. If your device's battery is not removable, it's best to leave it alone rather than attempting to disassemble the phone.
3. Seek Professional Repair
Chances are, as a small business owner, you have important information stored on your mobile phone. Therefore, if you want to give your device the best chance of survival, bring it in for a professional consult for wet phone repair.
There are many professional repair centers that could repair your smartphone and preserve your data. Some use proprietary drying systems, and others use proprietary chemicals to correct mobile water damage. Some repair companies will dissemble parts of your phone in order to repair it, and others will keep it in one piece. Warranties will also vary from company to company.
Of course, these services will cost you. For example, some repair companies charge a flat rate if the phone can be fixed, while others charge a diagnostic fee even if the phone can't be repaired. Furthermore, additional components of the phone may need replacement due to the extent of the damage — therefore, you may incur additional costs. Depending on the critical nature of the information or data that needs saving, it may be worth it.
When your phone experiences water damage, it's hard not to go straight into panic mode. Thankfully, you have options. To ensure your damage is as minimal as possible, look into backing up your mobile information to the cloud or an external hard drive.
