Liquid damage repair

Speed is everything

The single biggest factor in whether liquid damage is recoverable is how quickly the Mac is powered off after the spill. Liquid plus electricity is what causes the damage, not liquid alone. The longer current flows through wet circuitry, the worse the corrosion gets.

If liquid has just been spilled on a Mac, force-shutdown immediately (hold power button for 10 seconds), unplug everything, turn upside down to drain, and bring it to us within 24-72 hours for the best odds.

Do not turn it back on to “check if it’s working”. That’s when corrosion starts. Do not put it in rice. Rice does nothing for the damage and the dust contaminates the machine.

What’s involved

1. Workshop diagnostic. We open the Mac, document where the liquid reached, and identify which components are affected.
2. Logic board removal and ultrasonic cleaning. The board is submerged in an isopropyl-alcohol bath that dissolves mineral residue from the liquid (sugars from cola, salts from saline drinks, etc.) which would otherwise continue corroding contacts.
3. Microscope inspection for damaged components. Where damage is contained, we replace the specific failed components rather than the whole board.
4. Reassembly, full diagnostic, load test before returning.

How we quote

We don’t publish a fixed price for liquid-damage repair. Outcomes vary wildly with what was spilled, how much, how long ago, and what state the board is in when we open it. The £75 diagnostic fee covers the assessment. We then provide a written quote for the cleaning and any component-level repair needed before any further work starts. If it’s beyond economical repair, you pay only the diagnostic fee and we’ll quote on data recovery from the failed machine instead.

Realistic expectations

A Mac brought in within 24 hours of a clean water spill is often fully recoverable. A Mac left switched on for hours, or left untouched for weeks, has the worst odds. Sugary drinks (cola, juice) and salty liquids (sea water) leave the most damaging residue. Plain water is the kindest spill.

We give an honest assessment before any work beyond the initial clean. If it’s beyond economical repair, we’ll tell you and quote on data recovery from the failed machine instead.