Repair of Water-Damaged Motherboards

From our "Insider" Series

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Note: This article describes a process that can cause fire and injury. It may also cause damage to equipment. Industrial chemicals, including distilled water, can cause both dramatic and latent health issues. With this in mind this article is presented for academic purposes, as an aid for process engineering professionals.

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Why Water-Damaged Motherboards Are Often Recoverable

Contrary to common belief, water alone rarely destroys electronics. The real threats are:

• Mineral deposits left behind when water evaporates

• Corrosion triggered by lingering moisture

• Short circuits caused by water during power-on

If caught early and properly cleaned, many boards can be recovered for safe reuse, resale, or proper data sanitization.

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Step 1: Immediate Action — Power Down, Disassemble

• Disconnect all power immediately:

  • Power adapters

  • Main battery

  • CMOS battery (commonly missed but critical)

• Fully disassemble the device to access the motherboard.

  • Remove CPU, RAM, drives, expansion cards, heatsinks, and fans.

  • Use the OEM service manual if available — it helps avoid damage and ensures proper reassembly.

  • Take detailed photos if no manual is available.

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Also, in ITAD and recovery workflows, careful disassembly prevents accidental damage during repair or inspection.

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Step 2: Visual Inspection for Damage

Once exposed, inspect the board:

• Corrosion — white, green, or black deposits

• Burn marks — evidence of short circuits

• Damaged components — swollen capacitors, lifted pads, broken traces

 

Boards showing minor corrosion are usually good candidates for recovery.

Heavy scorching or burned traces often make recovery uneconomical.

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Step 3: Cleaning — Distilled Water and Isopropyl Alcohol Method

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At TECH-SHRED we have settled on a two phase process

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Phase 1: Distilled Water Rinse

• Rinse any boards that may have gotten wet thoroughly with distilled water.

  • Usually we go through about 1/2 gallon of distilled water per computer

  • Distilled water helps dissolve mineral deposits from short circuits or evaporated tap water.

  • Don't wash batteries though battery terminals should be inspected thoroughly and cleaned.

• Use a soft anti-static brush to gently remove residues.

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Avoid using tap water — it introduces new contaminants that could worsen corrosion.

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Phase 2: Isopropyl Alcohol Bath​

• Submerge the board in 99% isopropyl alcohol.

• Gently scrub again to remove remaining oxidation and moisture.

• Optional: Repeat with fresh alcohol for better cleaning.

The combination of distilled water and alcohol is a staple in professional electronics recovery.

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Step 4: Drying — The Controlled Oven Method (Best Practice)

 

Simply air-drying may leave moisture trapped under components.

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Professional Drying:

• Let the board air dry for 1–2 hours first.

• Preheat an oven to 170°F (76°C) — far below solder melting points.

• Place the board on a baking rack for airflow.

• Bake for 1–2 hours.

• Allow the board to cool naturally to room temperature.

This technique helps remove moisture even from hard-to-reach areas like under BGAs.

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Step 5: Post-Drying Inspection

Before powering on:

• Look for remaining corrosion or hidden damage.

• Verify no short circuits with a multimeter.

• Check for lifted pads or visibly broken traces.

 

Step 6: Testing the Board

• Reinstall only essential components:

  • CPU

  • RAM

  • CMOS battery

• Power on using a bench power supply or the device's original PSU.

Watch closely:

• If you see sparks, smoke, or unusual heating — shut down immediately.

• If successful, proceed to full reassembly following your OEM manual or your disassembly notes.

 

Step 7: Optional Advanced Repair

If the board fails to boot:

• Inspect for shorted MOSFETs, damaged ICs, or visibly failed components.

• Use a thermal camera to detect abnormal heat spots.

• Skilled technicians may attempt component-level repair.

If the board is beyond recovery, move it to your ITAD secure disposal or electronics recycling stream.​​​​