Liquid damage
Liquid on a phone or laptop: what to do before a repair
A spill is a reason to stop and assess the situation, not to keep testing the device. The liquid involved, timing and what happened afterwards all help a repairer understand the enquiry.
Stop using power if it is safe
Disconnect charging and switch the device off if you can safely do so. Do not touch a damaged charger or handle equipment that is unsafe. Avoid repeated attempts to start or charge a wet phone, tablet or computer.
Avoid common drying shortcuts
Do not use a hairdryer, radiator, compressed air or rice, and do not put tools or tissue into a connector. Apple’s liquid-alert guidance explains why charging connectors need to dry and why those methods can cause problems. A dry exterior does not establish that everything inside is unaffected.
Write down the spill history
Tell us whether it was water, a drink or another liquid, roughly when it happened, where it entered and whether the device was switched on. Include any charging or use since the incident and any changed behaviour. Be factual: you do not need to guess how far the liquid travelled.
Make the data priority clear
If the device contains important photos, business files or other information without a backup, say so before authorising work. Do not reset or restore it to try to solve the issue. Repairing a device and recovering its data are not the same promise, and neither outcome can be guaranteed.
Understand the assessment charge
At Local Tech Man, water-damage and complex motherboard diagnostics cost £40 for the first hour, agreed before work begins. If more diagnostic time is needed, further charges are quoted and agreed first. Diagnostic fees apply even when the device cannot be repaired; read the service terms before deciding.
Arrange the next step
Send the make, model, spill history and your area through the repair enquiry form. Photos can help explain visible damage; do not send private documents or passwords. We discuss inspection, available options and handover arrangements. There is no public walk-in shop, so contact us before travelling.
General information to help you describe a fault, not a remote diagnosis. Follow your device manufacturer’s instructions and stop if equipment is unsafe.