MacBook Water Damage Repair
Spilled coffee, tea, or water on your Mac? Don't turn it on! Bring it to us immediately for chemical cleaning.
Saving Your Water Damaged MacBook
Liquid damage is one of the most common and destructive issues a MacBook owner can face. Whether it’s a splash of tea, a full glass of wine, or a knocked-over water bottle, the consequences can be immediate and severe. At Leeds Computer Laptop Repairs, we specialize in logic board level repair, meaning we don't just replace expensive parts; we clean and repair them.
Why Liquid is Dangerous
When liquid enters your MacBook, it immediately begins to short-circuit components. The electricity flowing through the logic board interacts with the liquid to cause corrosion (rust) almost instantly. This corrosion eats away at copper traces, resistors, and capacitors. If left untreated, the corrosion will spread, turning a fixable problem into a dead laptop.
What To Do Immediately
If you have just spilled liquid on your Mac, follow these steps:
- Turn it OFF immediately. Do not try to save your work. Force shut it down by holding the power button.
- Unplug the charger. Electricity accelerates corrosion.
- Flip it over. Open the lid and place it upside down (tent mode) on a towel to let liquid drain away from the logic board.
- Do NOT put it in rice. This is a myth. Rice does not absorb moisture from inside the machine and the dust can actually cause more harm.
- Bring it to us ASAP. Time is the most critical factor. A MacBook cleaned within 24 hours has a 90% survival rate.
Our Ultrasonic Cleaning Process
We don't just wipe it with a cloth. We disassemble the entire machine. The logic board is removed and placed in an Ultrasonic Cleaner with a special chemical solution. This vibrates at high frequency to remove corrosion from under the microscopic chips. We then rinse it in 99% Isopropyl Alcohol and bake it dry.
After cleaning, we inspect the board under a microscope. Any damaged components (blown fuses, corroded capacitors) are soldered off and replaced. This is microsoldering, a skill that most standard computer shops do not possess.
Cost vs. Apple Store
If you take water damage to the Apple Store, they will quote you a "Tier 4" repair which usually involves replacing the Logic Board, Top Case (Keyboard/Battery), and Screen. This often costs £800-£1200. Our repairs typically range from £150 to £350 depending on the severity, because we fix the existing board instead of replacing it.
Data Recovery
Even if the laptop cannot be saved, your data often can be. On older Macs with removable SSDs, this is easy. On newer 2018+ Macs with soldered SSDs, we have specialist tools to power the storage chips directly and extract your files.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take?
Most repairs are done same-day. Logic board repairs take 2-4 days.
Is my data safe?
Yes, we prioritize data safety. We do not wipe your drive unless absolutely necessary (and with permission).
Do you use genuine parts?
We use high-quality OEM or original refurbished parts to ensure maximum longevity.