If you're in Sandton or the surrounding northern suburbs, this guide explains what water damage actually does to your device, how much repair typically costs, how quickly we can turn it around, and why the first few hours matter more than you'd think.
How Water Damage Happens (And Why Speed Matters)
Water doesn't just sit inside your device. It conducts electricity, corrodes circuits, and creates short circuits that can destroy components faster than you'd expect. The moment liquid enters your Mac or iPhone, the clock starts ticking.
Most people think they have days to act. They don't. Within hours, corrosion begins on the logic board. Within 24 hours, secondary damage — oxidation of copper traces and component failure — becomes likely.
In our workshop, we've seen the difference between a device brought in immediately after water exposure and one that's been sitting at home for three days. The first one often comes back to life with a clean bill of health. The second one frequently needs expensive component replacement.
The reason? Time. Moisture + electricity + heat = a slow-motion cascade of destruction.
Water Damage Assessment: What Happens During Diagnosis
When you bring your device in, we don't charge you to find out what we're dealing with. Our water damage assessment costs from R599 and includes a full diagnostic inspection under our workshop microscopes.
Here's what happens during a genuine water damage assessment:
We open the device carefully — no shortcuts, because aggressive opening can cause more damage. We inspect the logic board under magnification for corrosion markers: green or white oxidation on copper traces, darkened capacitors, or mineral deposits from tap water. We use isopropyl alcohol to gently clean a test area and observe whether corrosion is active or stable. We test power delivery to key components. We examine the battery (if removable) and internal connectors for signs of liquid ingress.
Not all water damage is equal. A phone that's been in distilled water for 10 minutes is very different from one that's been in saltwater or chlorinated pool water for an hour. Mineral content in tap water, coffee, or juice makes repair harder because those deposits sit on circuits and cause ongoing corrosion.
From that R599 assessment, we'll tell you whether your device is repairable, what components are at risk, what the repair will cost, and how long it will take. No surprises. No pressure.
Repair Process and Turnaround Time
Our standard water damage repair involves these steps:
Disassembly and inspection — We carefully remove all components, document the damage, and identify which parts have been compromised. Cleaning — We use precision isopropyl alcohol baths and soft brushes to remove corrosion and mineral deposits from the logic board and connectors. Component replacement — Depending on severity, this might mean a new battery, new connectors, or (in more serious cases) replacement of corroded capacitors or charging circuits. We source genuine Apple parts and third-party equivalents that meet Apple's original specifications. Reassembly and testing — We rebuild your device, test every function, and run diagnostics to confirm everything works as it should.
For most Sandton clients, turnaround is 3–5 working days. If we need to order a replacement component from Cape Town or Pretoria, it's 7–10 days. We keep you updated by email or WhatsApp at every stage.
Our repairs come with a 3-year warranty on all labour and replaced components — longer than any high street repair chain we're aware of.
Cost and Why It Varies
Water damage repair costs depend on what we find. A light corrosion clean on an iPhone battery connector might be R899. A full logic board replacement because of heavy corrosion could be R3,500 to R5,200 depending on the model.
MacBooks sit in the middle. A 13-inch MacBook Air with water damage typically runs R1,200 to R2,800 for a full clean, battery replacement, and corrosion removal. A 16-inch MacBook Pro can be more because the logic board is larger and more complex.
We've also seen cases where water damage reveals a secondary fault — a failing hard drive or a weak display — that wasn't obvious before. Our assessment will catch those and give you options.
The reason prices vary so much is that water damage is *always* different. Coffee is corrosive. Saltwater is worse. Tap water leaves deposits. We can't quote you a fixed price until we've looked inside.
That's also why that R599 assessment is so valuable. You're paying a small amount to know exactly what you're facing before you commit to a larger repair.
Why You Shouldn't Wait
We understand the temptation to let the device dry out at home, especially if it's turned off. But don't. Here's why:
Corrosion starts immediately. Leaving a water-damaged device switched off doesn't stop the chemistry; it just slows it down. Active corrosion is easier to stop in the first few hours than after it's had days to spread. Heat and humidity — common in Johannesburg during summer or even in a closed bag — accelerate corrosion.
If you've spilled something on your Mac or iPhone, the best thing you can do is:
We can often save devices that others have written off. We've got the tools, the expertise, and the patience to do it right.
Our Guarantee and Your Peace of Mind
Every water damage repair we complete comes with a 3-year warranty covering the labour and any parts we've replaced. If something we fixed fails within that time (and it's not due to a new accident), we'll repair it at no charge.
We also offer a "no-fault-found" guarantee. If we assess your device and find that it's not actually water damaged — or that the damage is so minor that repair isn't worth the cost — we'll tell you straight. You'll only pay the R599 assessment fee. We won't upsell you.
Getting Your Device Fixed
If your Mac, iPhone, iPad, or other Apple device has taken on water, book online at zasupport.com/book or WhatsApp us on 064 529 5863 to arrange an immediate assessment at our Hyde Park workshop.
You can also email us at support@zasupport.com with photos of your device and a description of what happened. We'll prioritise your appointment.
Water damage is urgent, but it's not hopeless. Let us help.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How long can a water-damaged device survive without repair?
Hours, not days. The moment water enters your device, corrosion begins. Every hour that passes increases the risk of permanent damage to the logic board. If you've spilled something on your Mac or iPhone, bring it in the same day if you can. We've seen devices recover from water damage that happened 24 hours earlier, but the success rate drops significantly after that.
Q: Is my data safe if I bring my device in for water damage repair?
Yes. We never erase data during water damage repair unless the storage drive itself has failed (which is rare). We open your device, clean the logic board, replace corroded components, and reassemble it. Your files, photos, and settings remain intact. We can also recover data from devices that won't power on after water damage, though that's a separate (and slightly more expensive) service.
Q: Will my device work exactly as it did before after water damage repair?
In most cases, yes — but it depends on the extent of the damage. Light to moderate water damage leaves no lasting effect once we've cleaned and repaired the affected areas. Severe water damage (where multiple components have corroded) might mean your device works but with reduced battery life or slower performance in heavy use. We'll be honest about this during your assessment.
Q: What types of water are worst for Apple devices?
Salt water is worst because salt accelerates corrosion dramatically. Coffee or juice is second because the sugar and acids leave deposits on circuits. Tap water is better but still damaging because of mineral content. Distilled water (like from a humidifier or deioniser) is the least destructive — but still requires immediate professional attention. Never assume your device is fine just because it was "only" in tap water.
Q: How much will water damage repair cost for my specific model?
We can't give you a price without seeing it first. Our R599 assessment will tell you exactly what we find and what the repair will cost. Some devices are repairable for under R1,000; others (particularly older MacBook Pro models with complex logic boards) might be R3,000 or more. We'll show you the options and let you decide whether to proceed.
Q: Do you offer a warranty on water damage repairs?
Yes. Every water damage repair we complete comes with a 3-year warranty on all labour and replaced components. If something fails within that time and it's not due to a new accident, we'll fix it at no charge. We also offer a free re-inspection at 6 months and 12 months after your repair to catch any secondary corrosion issues early.
