Prevent water damage

Water damage is any damage caused by liquids or water vapour to your phone. Water damage is the worst damage a phone can suffer. In fact, its effects are the most severe in comparison to other types of damage. The warranty also does not cover this damage. Devices that are waterproof always come with an IP certification. So, take a close look at which IP certification a smartphone has.

Some examples of liquids are:

Water;
Sweat;
Oil;
Saliva.

If liquids enter your device, sometimes you will notice the effect immediately, but the effects may also take some time before they become noticeable.

There are three possible reactions that could harm your phone.

Corrosion;
Short circuit;
Overheating.

Some situations where your device may come into contact with a liquid:

Using your phone during heavy rain;
Accidentally dropping your phone in the toilet;
Diving in the sea or pool with your device still in your swimming trunks;
Knocking over a glass of water or cup of coffee on your phone;
Cycling through the rain with the phone in your pocket.

Water vapour is a gas you cannot see. It is only through condensation that water vapour turns into liquid water that can cause damage.

Some examples of water vapour damage include:

The device is present in a humid room. For example, the bathroom. The water vapour migrates into the device and after showering, it cools down in the bathroom, causing the water vapour inside the device to condense into water.
The device warms up quickly from a cold environment. The device was in the cold car all night which cooled it down considerably. The next morning, if you then put the device directly on the charger or in a warm room, the device heats up quickly. This causes the water vapour in the device to condense into water.
The device is in a bag together with a cold drink bottle. This causes the device to cool down quickly. When you remove the device from the bag, it heats up again and condensation of the water vapour inside the device may occur.

Three tips to prevent water damage:

1. Buy a case

A case provides extra protection in a rainstorm or damp environment. Make sure the case is made of water-repellent material. Check here Gomibo's protective cases.

2. Keep your device dry

Make sure your device is not at risk of coming into contact with liquids.

3. Avoid humid areas

In damp rooms, water vapour can enter your appliance. The condensation is harmful to your device so keep it in a dry environment.

Has your phone suffered water damage anyway? Check out the steps to minimise the damage below:

1. Turn off your phone immediately

Switch off the device immediately to prevent further damage. Electricity combined with water accelerates corrosion and increases the risk of short circuits and overheating. Also try not to charge the phone for the next few days.

2. Remove the battery and SIM card

Remove the battery immediatly from the device, if possible. This will rule out electricity flowing through the device. Also, always remove the SIM card from the phone, to avoid damage to the chip.

3. Wrap the device in silicon gel bags

These pouches are highly absorbent and thus withdraw the moisture from your device. The bags should completely cover the device. Don't have these bags at home? Then check out the next tip!

4. Place your device in a bowl of uncooked rice

Rice, like the silicon gel bags, draws out the moisture from the device. Place the device in a container of rice and cover it completely with rice for at least 24 hours, and preferably even 72 hours. Rice can leave stains on your phone, though. Do not put the container of rice with the phone in the sun and try not to turn on your phone in the mean time.

5. DO NOT put your device in the oven, microwave, on the heater, or dryer!

DO NOT dry your phone in the oven or microwave. This will make the damage to your device worse! Putting the phone on the heater or dryer can also cause further damage. This is because heat causes internal elements to expand, moving water to other places.