Can Water-Damaged Electronics Be Restored?

9/23/2019 (Permalink)

Water damaged computer

Appliances and devices are among the most costly contents in commercial buildings. Water is made up of charged particles that can cause corrosion to form on metal and short-circuit electronics. Several factors determine whether flooded electronics can be restored or require replacement.

Power Status During Damage

The severity of electronic damage can be intensified if a device is powered on or plugged in while a flooding incident occurs. An appliance with current running through it during exposure to water is more likely to short-circuit and pose a greater risk of starting an electrical fire. Property owners should exercise caution when handling damaged devices:

• Do not attempt to power off a device.
  
• Carefully unplug or turn off circuits.
  
• Contact experts to handle unstable electronics.
  
  

Owners of buildings with many computers or appliances may want to contact a power company after major water damage to temporarily shut off the electricity. Even if a device was not powered on when damage took place, repair efforts may not be successful.

Extent of Exposure

It is next to impossible to accurately determine the degree of electronic damage without opening and inspecting flooded appliances and devices. Trained content cleaning and restoration experts do so in a clean, low-static environment to prevent additional damage and reduce the risk of an electrical fire due to short-circuiting throughout inspection, repair and testing.

Repair Costs

Depending on the item, it may be more cost effective to claim a loss and replace damaged electronics rather than attempting repairs. If content cleaning methods are unlikely to fully restore functionality, restoration experts can provide information to support an insurance claim.
An all-in-one water damage mitigation and restoration company offers specialized content cleaning services. Only experts should handle flooded electronics, as these items can pose a heightened risk of fire. Contact the closest franchise that offers electronics restoration and content storage in Mayfield, OH.