We’ve all been there: your phone slips into the sink, your coffee tumbles onto the laptop, or your tablet takes an unexpected plunge. In the immediate panic, questions start racing through your mind—can it be saved? Should I try to fix it myself? How much is this going to cost? The truth, drawn from experienced technicians, repair data, and countless homeowners who’ve been through it, is both reassuring and stark: speed is everything.

According to professional electronics repair experts, water itself rarely destroys devices. The real culprit is corrosion and short circuits, which begin forming within hours of exposure. A 15-year veteran on Reddit explains it plainly: “The goal is to actively remove moisture as quickly as possible. Corrosion can begin forming in just a few hours, and if it does, it can lead to malfunctions or shorts.” Restoration services report that if you act within the first hour, your chances of recovery are around 85 percent. Wait 24 hours, and that drops to 70 percent. A week later, the odds plummet to a mere 15 percent.

One of the biggest myths to dispel is the idea that rice can save your waterlogged device. Despite internet folklore, technicians universally agree that rice does little more than absorb some surface moisture. It does nothing to stop corrosion and can even introduce dust and debris. The professionals’ approach is far more effective: power off the device immediately, remove the battery if possible, create airflow to promote drying, and seek expert help within 24 hours. It’s airflow and controlled drying that really make a difference.

The gap between DIY and professional repair is stark. While DIY attempts might seem tempting, with tutorials everywhere and seemingly cheap parts, the reality is sobering. DIY success rates average around 30 percent, with common mistakes including improper heating, early powering-on, or missing hidden damage—all of which can worsen the problem. In contrast, professional repair services achieve about a 65 percent success rate, with data recovery often hitting 95 to 100 percent if handled within 24 to 48 hours. Experts use ultrasonic cleaning, deionized water, controlled drying chambers, and component-level repair that far surpass what anyone can do at home. One Australian specialist even described a case where an iPhone 12 that had suffered pool immersion and a prior botched repair was fully restored and data recovered thanks to their professional techniques.

Costs, naturally, vary depending on the device and extent of damage. For phones, basic cleaning and diagnostics usually run $50 to $150, while component replacements like batteries or charging ports fall between $100 and $250. Motherboard repair or replacement can reach $200 to $550, and in severe cases, total loss can exceed $500, often making replacement a more practical choice. Laptop repairs follow a similar pattern, with keyboard replacements from $50 to $250, screen repairs $125 to $600, and motherboard cleaning or repair $200 to $700. Interestingly, many repair shops caution that high-priced motherboard replacements are often unnecessary; most cases require only cleaning and minor repairs.

Real-life experiences reinforce these numbers. In South Africa, a Facebook user had a phone recovered after falling in a pool for roughly $24 USD, working perfectly afterward. In Australia, iPhone data recovery specialists report success with thousands of devices, including those that had failed at other shops. Cautionary tales abound too: DIY attempts frequently void warranties, complicate professional intervention, or even double the total cost when a botched repair must be redone.

Professionals are clear on when DIY is appropriate and when it isn’t. Minor external damage or older, low-value devices might be reasonable DIY projects. But water exposure, motherboard issues, and anything involving data recovery demands expert intervention. One Canadian shop sums it up succinctly: “Water damage can cause extensive internal issues. Professionals can properly disassemble, clean, and dry your device, increasing the chances of recovery.”

So what does professional restoration actually entail? Once a device reaches a certified shop, it is immediately powered off and disassembled. Experts inspect for corrosion, perform ultrasonic cleaning with specialized solutions, test components with diagnostic tools, and dry the device in controlled chambers. Damaged components are replaced with high-quality parts, and full functionality testing ensures the device is returned in the best possible condition.

The verdict is clear: professional repair is almost always worth it, especially within the first 24 hours. Beyond higher success rates and better data recovery, professionals provide peace of mind, proper warranties, and honest assessments, even if the device is beyond saving. Basic cleaning typically costs $100 to $200—a small fraction compared to replacement costs, and far cheaper than making DIY mistakes.

Water-damaged electronics are frightening, but they are not necessarily doomed. Acting fast, avoiding powering the device on, skipping the rice myth, and contacting a professional within 24 hours drastically improves outcomes. For your device—and the valuable data inside—it could make all the difference.