My Secret to saving water or flood damaged electronics

With all the flood damage from Hurricane Helene, and Milton on the way to Florida I wondered how I can help.  I realized I know something that could help them.  I developed a method to recover water or flood damaged electronics which could helped these people a lot.

I don’t have a helicopter (yet).  I have a computer repair and web design business, and its been the slowest slow-season I’ve had, on top of it slowing down after Covid.  So I don’t have money to send, so this is my way of helping.

What’s the super secret method? Distilled water.

Wash with 2 of these and let dry for 72 hours

For the most part, its not the water itself that damages electronics, its the minerals in the water.  Whether its muddy water, salt water, river water. The minerals are what make water conductive and leave a residue on the electronics.  They are what shorts out the circuit board if its are powered on with this residue.

Short circuits are where electricity goes to other circuits that can’t handle the power and something burns out.  Distilled water has most of the minerals removed, so washing electronics with it  can clean off the residue.

It doesn’t work all the time, but most of the time is better than losing your electronics and data.

If you don’t have access to distilled water, there are several improved methods for making some.

Steps for recovering electronics from water or flood damage

1. As soon as it’s safe to do so, remove your electronics from the floodwater. Holding the device upright, allow excess water to drain out. Don’t connect it to power or turn it on if its been submerged.  Clean it first.
2. Take it apart.
3. Soak the part briefly in distilled water, and rinse them off thoroughly.  I use 1-2 gallons per laptop.
4. Use a soft brush to carefully clean delicate parts where necessary, ensuring that you’re not pushing water deeper into the device.
5.  Allow them to fully dry for 72 hours if possible, avoid using direct heat if you can
6. Try to power them on briefly.  It they don’t turn on right way, immediately turn them off, and repeat the process

If that doesn’t work, its still possible to find the exact part on the electronics that are damaged, and replace them.  This can take more skill.  You can find an electronics hobbyist or professional to help.

Conclusion

You don’t have to throw away those electronics and lose your pictures, data, work and whatever else is stored on them.  Its important to be able to get them working so you can contact the outside world, and let friends and family to let them know you’re ok or need more help.  I recommend moving away from flood prone areas, because worse is coming.

Feel free to comment and share with people who need to know it.