Water Damage Repair in Charlotte, NC
Water and electronics are a race against corrosion: technicians open the device, ultrasonically clean the board and repair corroded components at chip level.
Bring the phone in powered off, as soon as you can. We open it, inspect the board under a microscope, clean it in an ultrasonic bath, repair corroded components and test every function. Water damage repair takes 1 to 3 days. The exact price for your model is shown on this page, the diagnostic is free, and if we can't fix it, you don't pay.
Signs you need this repair
Liquid shorted something on the board. Turning it on repeatedly or charging it can make the damage worse.
Water between the display layers or on the display connector causes lines, blotches and backlight failure.
Muffled audio, a fogged camera or a dead mic after liquid exposure means water reached those parts or their connectors.
Corrosion on the charging port causes intermittent charging and liquid detected alerts.
A phone that restarts on the logo after getting wet usually has a short or corrosion on the board.
Corrosion keeps working after the phone dries. Many phones that seemed fine after a spill fail days or weeks later.
What usually causes it
Full submersion pushes water past seals. Chlorinated pool water is more corrosive than tap water.
Salt is highly conductive and speeds corrosion. A phone that went in the ocean needs attention quickly.
Soda, coffee and juice leave sugary residue that keeps conducting and attracts dirt even after drying.
Showers, saunas and steamy kitchens can push moisture into a phone over time. Water resistance ratings wear down with age and drops.
How we fix it
- 1Emergency intake
We disconnect the battery right away to stop current from feeding corrosion. Then we disassemble the phone to see where the liquid went.
- 2Microscope inspection
Corrosion shows up as green, white or black deposits on connectors and tiny components. We map the damaged areas before cleaning.
- 3Ultrasonic board cleaning
The logic board goes into an ultrasonic cleaner with a board-safe solution, which removes residue from under chips where brushes can't reach. Then it's fully dried.
- 4Component-level repair
Corroded or shorted capacitors, filters and connectors are replaced under the microscope. Our techs do this micro-soldering in-house on the bench in Charlotte.
- 5Reassemble and test everything
We test screen, touch, charging, speakers, mics, cameras, Face ID or fingerprint, cellular and Wi-Fi. Parts like a liquid-damaged screen or battery are quoted separately if they need replacing.
- 6Data first if that's your priority
If your photos matter more than the phone, tell us. We can focus on getting the board working long enough to pull your data before going further.
What usually needs replacing
Many water damage jobs are cleaning and board-level repair alone. Some parts absorb more damage than the board, and we only replace what testing shows has failed.
The core of every water job. Ultrasonic cleaning plus replacing corroded components.
Liquid between display layers often leaves permanent blotches or lines that need a new screen.
A battery that was shorted by water can swell or lose capacity, and we replace it if it tests weak.
Corroded port pins are common after water exposure and are replaced if cleaning doesn't restore them.
How long it takes
Water damage repair takes 1 to 3 days. Cleaning and drying can't be rushed, and corrosion damage isn't fully visible until the board is clean. Phones with heavy corrosion or several failed parts take the full window, and we update you once we know what we're dealing with.
Models we repair
What customers say
I had rain damage to my phone and took it to Charlotte Tech Repair. They fixed it incredibly fast, and the price was very reasonable. The whole process was quick, easy, and professional. I highly recommend them if you need a phone repair! Michael helped me out and was awesome!Brooke Ibarra · Water damage · Google review
… my photos and videos of my sister’s wedding but then I had the fortune of coming upon this amazing shop! They got everything back for me and I think even made my phone work faster!! …Mo · Phone data recovery · Google review
Lost all my data due to a broken screen. Nothing was backed up. Phone was not working and We Save Data was able to capture and restore all my Data and everything!!! Awesome experience and excellent customer. I am one HAPPY customer!!Unithia McGruder · Phone data recovery · Google review
Real customer reviews from Google and Yelp, quoted word for word. … marks where a longer review was shortened.
Crack it again? The next screen is free.
Included with eligible screen repairs for 12 months.
Before you bring it in
- Power the phone off right away and don't turn it back on to check it.
- Don't charge it or plug it into anything.
- Pull the SIM tray and leave it out; shake out water gently.
- Skip the rice and the hair dryer; bring it in instead.
- Tell us what liquid it was and when it happened.
- If your data matters most, tell us at drop-off.
Repair or replace?
If the phone holds photos or messages you don't have backed up, a repair attempt is almost always worth it, even on an older phone. If everything is backed up and the phone is several years old, compare our quote with replacing it; once we've seen the corrosion, we'll tell you honestly how good the odds are. If repair doesn't make sense, we can still try to recover your data, or buy the phone through Charlotte Tech Trade.
Thinking of fixing it yourself?
What you do in the first hour matters. Power off, don't charge, remove the SIM tray and get it to a shop. Rice doesn't pull liquid out from under chips, and corrosion starts within hours. Opening the phone yourself and scrubbing the board with alcohol can help, but most people tear a flex cable or knock off a tiny component doing it. If the phone has already shut off or shows lines, stop testing it and bring it in.
After your repair
- Keep a backup running from now on, since water-damaged boards can fail later.
- Assume water resistance is gone; keep the phone away from pools and showers.
- Watch for new charging or audio problems over the next few weeks, and bring it back early.
- Use a waterproof pouch for beach, lake and boat days.
Questions people ask
Should I put my wet phone in rice?
No. Rice absorbs a little moisture from the air but doesn't remove liquid from inside the phone, and it leaves dust in the ports. Meanwhile corrosion starts on the board. Power it off and bring it in.
Can you always recover a water-damaged phone?
No one can promise that. Odds are better the sooner the phone is powered off and brought in. We tell you what we find after the board is cleaned, and if we can't fix it, you don't pay.
How much does water damage repair cost?
Select your phone on this page to see the exact price. The diagnostic is free, and if extra parts like a screen or battery are needed, we quote them before replacing anything.
How quickly should I bring in a water-damaged phone?
As soon as you can. Corrosion begins within hours and keeps spreading, especially if the phone is powered on or charged.
My phone fell in salt water or a pool. Does that matter?
Yes. Salt water and chlorinated pool water are more corrosive than fresh water. Rinsing isn't a home fix; power it off and bring it in quickly.
My phone still works after getting wet. Do I need to do anything?
Yes, if it was submerged. Corrosion can cause failures days or weeks later. Back it up now and have it inspected.
Isn't my phone waterproof?
Phones are water resistant, not waterproof. IP ratings are tested in lab conditions with fresh water, seals weaken with age and drops, and manufacturer warranties typically exclude liquid damage.
Can you get my photos off even if the phone can't be fixed?
Often, yes. Data recovery is done in-house. We can't promise every file, but we focus on getting the board running long enough to pull your data.
Can I mail in a water-damaged phone?
Yes, from anywhere in the US with free insured return shipping. Power it off and ship it as fast as possible, because every day lets corrosion spread.
Related repairs
Before you book
Mail-in repair from anywhere in the U.S.
Free diagnostic when it arrives. Free insured shipping back.
- 1Tell us your model and the problem
- 2Ship it insured. We diagnose it within a day
- 3Approve the price. Fixed and back in 7–10 days