Water damage terms your technician uses when diagnosing liquid exposure — from the moment a phone gets wet through to board-level corrosion treatment.
Water Damage
When liquid enters a phone and causes corrosion or short circuits. Even IP-rated phones can suffer water damage. The longer it’s left untreated, the worse the damage.
IP Rating
Classifies a phone’s resistance to dust and water. IP68 means water-resistant in fresh water under lab conditions — not waterproof in pools, the sea, or showers.
LDI
Liquid Damage Indicator — a sticker inside the phone that turns red when exposed to water. Confirms water damage and voids manufacturer warranty.
Corrosion
Chemical destruction of board components after water damage. Visible as green or white deposits. Spreads over time — the longer it’s left, the harder the repair.
Ultrasonic Cleaner
A device that uses 40,000Hz sound waves to remove corrosion from water-damaged boards. Reaches under chips where manual cleaning can’t. The professional standard for water damage treatment.
Further reading
- Water Damaged Phone? 8 Steps to Save Your Device — what to do in the first 60 seconds
- Is Your Phone Actually Waterproof? — the truth about IP ratings in real-world conditions