In this guide, I'll walk you through what happens when liquid gets inside your device, what our repair process actually involves, and what you can realistically expect to pay.
Understanding Liquid Damage in Apple Devices
When liquid enters an Apple device, the damage isn't always immediately visible. A phone or laptop doesn't fail because water is inside it; it fails because water conducts electricity between components that should never touch. Corrosion begins within hours. The longer your device sits with liquid inside, the more components corrode, and the more expensive the repair becomes.
We've handled more than 18,000 devices affected by liquid damage over the past decade — everything from water-resistant iPhone 14s that still couldn't survive an accidental pool submersion, to MacBook Pros damaged by a single spilled glass of wine. Each case is different, but the underlying physics is the same.
The first 24 hours are critical. If you bring your device to us immediately, we can often save the logic board. If you wait a week, we may be replacing it entirely.
Our Liquid Damage Assessment Process
Every liquid damage repair begins with the same step: a thorough diagnostic assessment.
At ZA Support, we charge from R599 for a comprehensive liquid damage assessment. During this inspection, our technicians will:
This assessment is non-destructive. We won't disassemble your device without your approval and a clear understanding of costs ahead.
Why do we charge for assessment? Because proper liquid damage diagnosis requires time. We're not running a quick visual check; we're using that time to give you honest advice about whether repair makes sense for your specific device and budget. Many clients appreciate that honesty — sometimes we recommend replacement over an expensive repair.
What Happens During the Repair
If you decide to proceed, here's what our process looks like.
First, we completely disassemble the device. For a MacBook, that means removing the logic board, trackpad, keyboard, and all internal components. For an iPhone, we remove the display, battery, and internal modules. Nothing stays inside.
Next, we clean every component that came into contact with liquid. This isn't a quick rinse. We use specialised equipment and solvents designed not to damage delicate electronics. Corrosion is scraped away carefully. Flux residue is removed. This stage can take several hours depending on the extent of the damage.
Then we allow components to dry completely — no shortcuts here, even if it takes 24 to 48 hours. Rushing this step is how repairs fail.
Finally, we reassemble the device and test it thoroughly. We run diagnostics, check battery health, verify all ports and sensors, and ensure the device functions exactly as it should. Only then does it leave our workshop.
For more complex repairs involving multiple corroded components, we sometimes work with our logic board repair specialists, who can micro-solder components back to life.
How Much Will Your Repair Cost?
This is the question we hear most often, and the honest answer is: it depends entirely on what the liquid has damaged.
Simple cases — liquid enters the device but no components are visibly corroded — might cost between R1,200 and R2,500. This typically covers disassembly, cleaning, and reassembly.
Moderate cases — where corrosion is visible on the logic board but the board itself is intact — usually run between R2,500 and R6,000. Here we're replacing corroded connectors, cleaning extensively, and possibly replacing a battery or two.
Severe cases — where the logic board is damaged, multiple components have failed, or the liquid was something other than fresh water — can range from R6,000 to R15,000 or more. At this point, you're often paying for component replacement rather than repair.
A few variables that affect cost:
After your assessment, we'll give you a fixed quote. No surprises at the end.
Turnaround Time and Warranty
Standard liquid damage repairs take between 3 to 7 working days, depending on the queue and the complexity of the work. Load shedding occasionally affects us — like most Johannesburg businesses — so during Stage 6 blackouts, we may need an extra day.
Every repair we complete comes with a 3-year warranty on our workmanship. That means if a component we repaired or cleaned fails within three years due to a fault in our repair, we'll fix it at no charge. We stand behind what we do.
Device faults that arise from new liquid damage are not covered by this warranty — we can't protect against that. But manufacturing defects we introduced? That's on us.
When Repair Doesn't Make Sense
Sometimes the honest advice is to replace rather than repair. If a MacBook's logic board is severely corroded and replacement costs R8,000 but the device is worth only R6,000, repair doesn't make financial sense. We'll tell you that upfront.
We also see cases where the cost of parts needed makes repair uneconomical. A cracked iPhone display is nearly always worth repairing; a completely corroded iPhone 6 logic board might not be.
For guidance on whether your specific device is worth repairing, contact us with photos and your device model, and we can give you preliminary advice before you visit the workshop.
Preventing Liquid Damage
The best repair is the one you never need. Some practical steps:
Apple's official guidance on water damage is available on Apple Support, and it aligns with our own approach: power off, don't charge, and seek professional help.
Getting Your Device Checked
If your device has liquid damage — whether it happened today or weeks ago — book an assessment with us. We're based in Hyde Park and serve clients across Johannesburg and beyond.
Book online at zasupport.com/book, or WhatsApp us on 064 529 5863 to discuss your situation before you visit.
We've repaired more than 18,000 devices and fixed liquid damage on everything from entry-level iPhones to high-end MacBook Pros. Whatever happened to your device, we've probably seen it before.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can liquid damage ever be invisible at first?
Yes. We've had clients bring in devices that powered on normally but were already corroding internally. Saltwater, sugary drinks, and cleaning products cause corrosion faster than fresh water. What looks fine today might fail next week without proper assessment and cleaning.
Q: Will my data be safe during liquid damage repair?
Your data remains on your device throughout the repair. We don't replace the storage drive unless it's physically damaged. If your device won't power on and you're worried about data, let us know during the assessment — we can sometimes recover data even from severely damaged devices.
Q: What's the difference between water-resistant and waterproof?
Water-resistant means the device can handle splashes and brief submersion — rain, shower spray, accidental pool dips. Waterproof means it can survive full submersion for extended periods. iPhones are water-resistant; none are truly waterproof. That rating deteriorates with age and damage to seals.
Q: Is it safe to use my device if it still powers on after liquid exposure?
Not without inspection. Powering on temporarily doesn't mean the device is safe. Corrosion can be happening invisibly inside, and using the device can spread that corrosion further. Bring it in for assessment before you use it again.
Q: How do you prevent corrosion from returning after repair?
We clean away existing corrosion, dry the device completely, and replace any components that are too damaged. Once reassembled and sealed properly, your device should function normally. Corrosion doesn't spontaneously return — it only happens when new liquid enters the device.
Q: Why should I repair rather than replace my device?
If your device is relatively new and the damage is moderate, repair is usually cheaper than replacement. A MacBook worth R15,000 with R5,000 in liquid damage repair is still the right financial choice. For older or less valuable devices, replacement sometimes makes more sense. We'll advise based on your specific situation.
