Can Flooded Electronics Be Salvaged?

8/21/2020 (Permalink)

Water damage to electronics in Oklahoma City, OK

Water damage occurring from flooding in Oklahoma City, OK, can leave you feeling helpless. Loss of property can occur, and though insurance should cover a great deal of your loss, some things simply aren't replaceable. This can be true of electronics that may not have been documented in your policy. Most people would probably assume flooded electronics aren't salvageable, but this isn't necessarily true.

Safely Securing Your Electronic Devices

The first thing you'll want to do is remove your devices from the flooded area so that further electronic damage is avoided, but this must be done with caution. For areas of your home that have experienced severe damage, don't try to secure your items on your own. In these types of scenarios the tough jobs are best left to a professional restoration company.
Some things you'll have to consider if you are retrieving the devices on your own:

• Never remove items that are still connected to a power source when there is standing water.
  
• Make sure the power to the home is disconnected before removing flooded electronics.
  
• Avoid handling devices that are hot to the touch or are releasing smoke or steam.
  
• To avoid further damage, remove the battery and disassemble the device to allow it to dry.
  
  

Restoring Your Electronic Device
In order to clean your device, it will need to be completely disassembled, down to all cables, connectors and shields. The logic board has tiny components which will have a harder time drying, so to aid the process it will need to be completely submerged in isopropyl alcohol.
Scrub gently to clean the logic board of any deposits that have been left behind. Once, it's clean, aid in the drying process by using a cool blower, such as a hair dryer. Once dry, you can reassemble your device.
The damage caused to flooded electronics doesn't have to mean these devices are no longer usable. With a little elbow grease and patience, they can be revived and save you potentially thousands of dollars in seeking replacements.