How much does liquid damage cleaning and diagnostics cost at Arbor Mac?

Our preliminary desktop inspection is always free. If your MacBook or iPhone suffered a spill and requires full internal teardown, battery isolation, and microscope corrosion removal, our bench triage and cleaning fee is $150 (taking 2 to 24 hours).

What happens if my device still needs parts or logic board repair after the $150 cleaning?

If corrosion already damaged internal components or motherboard power circuits, we provide a transparent, no-obligation repair quote ($275 to $500 on average, taking 2 to 6 weeks). If you approve the repair, 100% of your $150 cleaning fee is credited directly toward the final repair balance.

Will liquid damage repair erase my files or photos?

No. Unlike the Apple Store—which replaces the entire logic board and wipes your storage—we clean and repair your original board at the component level so your photos, documents, and system data stay 100% intact.

Spilled Liquid on Your Device? Emergency Survival Guide

Whether it is a spilled cup of coffee on your MacBook or an iPhone dropped in liquid, water damage is a race against time. The actions you take in the first 5 minutes dictate whether your device survives.

Emergency Steps to Take Immediately

Step 1: Disconnect from Power

Unplug the device from any wall charger or peripheral cable immediately.

Step 2: Do Not Attempt to Power It On

If the device turned off, leave it off. Do not try to turn it on to “check if it still works.” If the device is still on, power it down immediately.

Step 3: Skip the Rice, Get It Cleaned

Do not put the device in a bag of rice. Rice does not absorb water from deep inside the tightly packed chassis of an iPhone or MacBook; it only introduces starch and dust into your charging ports.

[!TIP] Did You Unplug It? Battery Is Still Live Inside!
Even if unplugged from the wall, the internal battery constantly pumps electricity across the wet logic board. Every passing hour increases corrosion rot.
👉 Reserve Emergency Liquid Damage Triage ($150 Credited Toward Repair) →

The Science of Corrosion (Why Power is the Enemy)

Water itself doesn’t actually break electronics—electricity does.

Tap water, rain, and beverages contain dissolved minerals and salts. When the electrical current from your device’s battery runs through that mineral-rich water, it triggers a chemical reaction called electrolysis. The electricity causes the basic metals on the logic board (copper, solder) to dissolve and bind with the minerals in the water.

This reaction leaves behind a conductive, crusty green/white corrosion that eats away at the microscopic traces on the motherboard, permanently shorting out components. By removing the power source, you stop the electrolysis in its tracks.

Instead, the device needs to be opened, the battery disconnected immediately, and the internal components manually cleaned of mineral deposits and oxidation before they rot the metal traces.

How Our Liquid Damage Recovery Works in Chicago

At Arbor Mac (8 S Michigan Ave, Suite 312), we follow a transparent, step-by-step protocol for liquid-damaged devices:

Free Preliminary Inspection: We inspect the exterior, ports, and internal liquid indicators at zero upfront cost.
$150 Diagnostic & Internal Cleaning (2–24 Hours): We isolate the battery to stop electrolysis and perform a thorough physical board cleaning and corrosion treatment. Often, this service alone restores normal operation.
100% Repair Credit: If physical cleaning alone isn’t enough and your device needs replacement parts or deeper component-level board repair (2–6 weeks average), your entire $150 cleaning fee is credited toward the final repair quote—always presented for your approval with no obligation.
Easy Building Entry & Curbside: Enter 8 S Michigan Ave, check in briefly with the lobby security desk for Suite 312 (Arbor Mac), and take elevators to the 3rd floor. Driving? Text us at (734) 454-0000 and we’ll meet you curbside on Michigan Ave!