How To Save A MacBook From Water Damage

You can protect your laptop from damage all you want, but accidents do happen. Your MacBook is flooded with one wrong move when you reach for your coffee mug, or because of a careless action of the colleague. In this article, you will find out about the consequences of water damage and what MacBook water damage repair options are available.

How much to repair water damage MacBook: What to do first

If you’re reading this article from a MacBook that’s just been in the water, this isn’t a good idea. When water gets on your device, you need to de-energize it immediately. Every second counts, so don’t waste time on saving your data and playing the game to the save point.

Immediately press the disconnect button and hold it until the screen goes off. If the laptop is plugged in, disconnect the power adapter too. Now you have two options:

• disassemble the laptop, unscrew the back cover and disconnect the components that are possible, then leave the device to dry;
• urgently bring your MacBook to the service center, and the specialists will help you solve the problem.

Note that if your device is under warranty service, it is better to avoid disassembling it yourself. Otherwise, you will lose your warranty.

What to do if there are no service centers nearby and you do not have the opportunity to disassemble the laptop? In this case, you can perform several steps:

1. Open the lid of your device and lock your MacBook in the “V” position. This position will allow any liquid to drip through the ventilation holes.
2. Allow your device to dry for 48 hours. Most of the liquid will drain out during this time, and the internal components will dry.

You will still need to find a screwdriver to take the device apart. Only then will you be able to get rid of the liquid completely.

One thing you definitely shouldn’t do when making MacBook water damage repair is trying to dry your MacBook with a hair dryer. At best, you will need more than this to solve your problem. At worst, you will speed up dangerous chemical processes inside the laptop and aggravate the device’s condition even more.

Forget about rice (which supposedly absorbs moisture) and other urban legends. Unfortunately, it doesn’t help, and it’s a waste of your time.

How much does it cost to repair a water damage MacBook via Apple Service?

Those who have paid for AppleCare+ (priced between $219 and $419, depending on the model) are fortunate. If you spill liquid on your device, the company will replace the components for $299. Of course, there are reasons for rejection here, too. For example, if the device has been completely submerged in water, there’s a risk that it’s not part of the extended warranty.

But as you continue to read this article, you’ve probably already contacted a service center and been denied warranty service. Indeed, any laptop interaction with water is not a warranty case. At least, that’s the case with the limited one-year warranty and the standard AppleCare program.

In this case, a Macbook repair will cost between $800 and $1300, as it falls under Apple’s Tier 4 internal damage classification. Note that you’ll pay a hefty amount regardless of the extent of the breakage. Even if only the keyboard is broken or the Wi-Fi module is damaged, the cost will be pretty high. But luckily, you have an alternative: make the MacBook repair that was water damaged by yourself.

How much does MacBook water damage repair cost if you do it yourself?

So, your device is not part of the AppleCare+ program, and you’ve been offered to fix your MacBook for the price of a new one. Of course, you were discouraged, but fixing the laptop is relatively easy if you do it right.

Apple has released official instructions on replacing your laptop’s parts, detailing the necessary tools and supplies. Add a few YouTube tutorials and an in-depth study of topic sites, and you can do everything at an affordable price and effortlessly.

Naturally, you will need to prepare tools and consumables in advance. You need a kit to open the cover, connect the loops, and carefully remove the parts. And don’t forget isopropyl alcohol with 90% reagent to eliminate corrosion. You may also need a soldering iron and an ultrasonic cleaner.

Let’s break down the steps you should take:

1. Diagnostics. Any laptop, if exposed to water, needs a thorough inspection. Since a bit of corrosion can cause the entire system to fail, you have to check all components.
2. Study the instructions. There are many resources for repairing water-damaged MacBooks on your own. Just take your time and ensure you understand the task at hand, and you can also improve your MacBook from a spilled liquid.

Calculating the number of tools (including an expensive soldering iron) will still cost half as much as a water damaged MacBook repair at an Apple service center. And you can always get your laptop repaired, prolonging its life for another couple of years.

The only problem you may encounter is buying the right parts. There are plenty of eBay and Amazon deals out there, but you want to avoid buying those components. First, they may be from third-party manufacturers, and second, it’s still unclear how long the parts will last.

This case is especially true for MacBooks made a long time ago. Finding the right components is difficult if your device is 7-8 years old. But you can buy MacBook Pro parts at Appleparts.io.

The service provides convenient tools to find parts for the laptop. The main advantage is that all parts are thoroughly tested before they go on sale. You can be sure that the components meet high-quality standards. All electronic devices on this website meet the R2 guidelines for reuse and resale.

You can buy common parts such as logic boards or original SSD. Various rare components such as MagSafe Boards, microphones, speakers, ducts, and cooling systems are also available for purchase. The store even has original batteries with minimum charge cycles. You can make your repaired laptop even better than it was before.

How you can protect your MacBook from water

Preventative measures can be another option to keep your device from being exposed to water. Of course, this doesn’t guarantee that the MacBook will be 100% protected from liquid getting inside, but at least you’ll reduce the risk of damage.

A standard option for protection is a keyboard cover. It covers small gaps in the keys and prevents water from getting through them onto the motherboard. The second option is a protective case. It protects the device externally. For example, it retains moisture if you get caught in the rain.

Either way, MacBook water damage repair cost depends a lot on the method you choose, whether it be a service center, or a do-it-yourself repair at home. There are simple but expensive methods, and less costly alternatives require technical training. In any case, you can repair your device and make it look as good as new but the price range you choose is up to you.