Spilled water

[splitpea]

I just spilled water in my MBP, came here to figure out how long to leave it in rice, and was highly amused by the vehemence and vitriol.

Look, everyone in this thread is right. All of this depends a lot on climate.

If you live somewhere humid, the water won't evaporate quickly enough for the rice to absorb it (the rice will just absorb ambient moisture from the air, of which you have an unlimited supply) and a dehumidifier is likely to help more by making the air dry enough for the water to evaporate (plus you're more likely to have one on hand).

If you live in a dry climate, you probably don't have a dehumidifier, and besides, the water will evaporate quickly anyway in dry air, and the rice will help maintain dry air around the machine to accelerate the evaporation.

I'm sure that humidity also affects how long you should let it dry. In a warm, dry climate, a bowl of water left on the kitchen counter will evaporate in a day; in a cool, wet one, it can take a week.

I live in a climate that at the current time of year is cold, and seems to be moderately humid this week. I don't have a dehumidifier, or know anyone who does, but it took 10 minutes to acquire enough rice to bury ten laptops in. Plus a friend lent me a giant packet of silica gel (win!). I'm going to cross my fingers and leave it for four days, maybe near a radiator, since heat encourages evaporation. I'll let you know how it fares - wish me luck!

 

[Ccrew]

Just curious how many people on here have 20lbs of uncooked rice in there kitchen right now? It always trips me out when someone says you should have immediately placed it in rice for a year. Look put it somewhere dry run a dehumidifier near it and in a day or two turn it back on and see

Prolly more folks that can run to the store and buy a big bag of rice than there are with dehumidifiers just sitting waiting for the day they spill something.

Just sayin

----------

Look, everyone in this thread is right. All of this depends a lot on climate.

If you live somewhere humid, the water won't evaporate quickly enough for the rice to absorb it (the rice will just absorb ambient moisture from the air, of which you have an unlimited supply) and a dehumidifier is likely to help more by making the air dry enough for the water to evaporate (plus you're more likely to have one on hand).

They make these big bags called "Ziploc's"

 

[locoboi187]

I spilled some water on my macbook yesterday and it quickly shut off (I assume it has some short circuit prevention system?). I left it drying upside down for almost 24hrs. I turned it on and its working again.

Is there anything special I need to do? I heard something about the minerals from tap water that stays when it evaporates which can affect the copper traces/pins and reduce its lifespan? (chemistry is not my strong point)

Quickly shutting off means that it HAS indeed short circuited, not prevented. Sorry man.

 

[splitpea]

So, almost a cup of water straight into the keyboard, turned off manually within 60 seconds, drained upside-down immediately for about half an hour, stuck in a bag of rice with a large silica gel packet for 5 days in absurdly cold weather (the office was probably a under 40F overnight and didn't break 60 in the daytime for that week).

Took it out once at the 24 hour mark to take off the bottom panel and sop up the few drops of water that had made it down to the bottom (unfortunately couldn't remove the battery or hard drive to check underneath).

Booted fine, haven't had any problems except with the wifi having to be turned off and on all the time because it stops working even though it shows a connection with great reception (although that may just be an issue with the hotspot -- seems to depend on my location).

 

[l.a.rossmann]

Rice absorbs liquid. This is true.

Rice can also break down into some nasty **** that is even worse than the liquid inside the machine. So, I would suggest something else.

take the board out, buy a baking tray for $2 at the bodega, pour 99% alcohol into the baking tray. Let it dry in the window or on something that blows air for a while. Air filter, dehumidifier. Before I had an air compressor, I liked the dehumidifier's output because the air it was blowing out was dry.

 

[splitpea]

Rice absorbs liquid. This is true.

Rice can also break down into some nasty **** that is even worse than the liquid inside the machine. So, I would suggest something else.

take the board out, buy a baking tray for $2 at the bodega, pour 99% alcohol into the baking tray. Let it dry in the window or on something that blows air for a while. Air filter, dehumidifier. Before I had an air compressor, I liked the dehumidifier's output because the air it was blowing out was dry.

That's why before you put it in the rice you wrap it in something porous to water but not to rice -- pillowcase, old t-shirt, whatever.

And not everyone had the tools on hand to take all the pieces out of their computer. We do the best with what we have.

 

[l.a.rossmann]

That's why before you put it in the rice you wrap it in something porous to water but not to rice -- pillowcase, old t-shirt, whatever.

And not everyone had the tools on hand to take all the pieces out of their computer. We do the best with what we have.

It takes a screwdriver to open the computer to get the rice in there. One might as well dry it out manually when you're at that point is what I am suggesting.

 

[iVikD]

I just had a freak accident myself... Spilled a whole cup of coke and it hit the 15 inch MBP right on the side with all the ports (lid closed, was on sleep) I immediately opened it up and unplugged the battery, then proceeded to dry some of the droplets on the motherboard with paper towels. It's now sitting on my table, back plate removed, getting some air while I freak out.
Went a year and a half without even a scratch, and then this happens D:

 

[KPOM]

I just had a freak accident myself... Spilled a whole cup of coke and it hit the 15 inch MBP right on the side with all the ports (lid closed, was on sleep) I immediately opened it up and unplugged the battery, then proceeded to dry some of the droplets on the motherboard with paper towels. It's now sitting on my table, back plate removed, getting some air while I freak out.
Went a year and a half without even a scratch, and then this happens D:

Good luck, and hopefully everything works out. My 2010 MBA met its end when I fell asleep with it in my lap and a glass of wine in my hand. Fortunately, the Genius Bar agent, completely unexpected and out of the blue, decided to waive the $755 repair charge. I got it back a week letter in better shape than it was before the spill.

Since then, I haven't taken any chances. I've used keyboard covers, and I also took out a personal articles policy on my renter's insurance. For $60/year, it covers loss, theft, mechanical failure, and accidental damage. It came in handy when I lost 2012 MacBook Air while traveling.

 

[iVikD]

Good luck, and hopefully everything works out. My 2010 MBA met its end when I fell asleep with it in my lap and a glass of wine in my hand. Fortunately, the Genius Bar agent, completely unexpected and out of the blue, decided to waive the $755 repair charge. I got it back a week letter in better shape than it was before the spill.

Since then, I haven't taken any chances. I've used keyboard covers, and I also took out a personal articles policy on my renter's insurance. For $60/year, it covers loss, theft, mechanical failure, and accidental damage. It came in handy when I lost 2012 MacBook Air while traveling.

Crisis seemingly averted. I sprayed the motherboard with isopropyl alcohol (after unplugging everything) and then let it dry all night. Turned it on this morning and seems fine. Only time will tell now.

 

[splitpea]

It takes a screwdriver to open the computer to get the rice in there. One might as well dry it out manually when you're at that point is what I am suggesting.

Taking out the battery requires a different screwdriver than taking off the cover. The motherboards of most Mac laptops can't be safely removed at all AFAICT, even the ones where you can replace the RAM.

 

[calderone]

It takes a screwdriver to open the computer to get the rice in there. One might as well dry it out manually when you're at that point is what I am suggesting.

You don't pour rice INTO the machine. You put the machine INTO rice.

 

[Interstella5555]

You don't pour rice INTO the machine. You put the machine INTO rice.

In Soviet Russia, the rice absorbs you!

 

[waroly]

The manual does say you shouldn't eat or drink near the machine so I have no sympathy for you.

Well, here's something more that you can feel unsympathetic about.

I left my 2010 MacBook Air on a plane in October 2012. (I'm sure the manual also says not to leave your computer on a plane.) I got it replaced in December 2012 for $2199.00. Jump to Feb. 2013. Spilled liquid into computer. Brought it into Apple Store and signed an agreement to pay $800 to get it fixed. Today Apple repair called to tell me that the damage is too extensive and they can't fix it, meaning, I suppose, that the machine is worthless. This is the only terminal outcome I have had with an Apple Product since my first Mac in 1987. I have been a loyal customer through thick and thin with this company. And by thin, I mean when the company nearly went under in 1996. Have my feelings about Apple changed? Yes!

If anyone has anything good to say about a positive outcome to this situation, I would sure like to hear it. If not, do not bother to respond.

 

[iPhonesandMacs]

I'll buy it for parts!

Well, here's something more that you can feel unsympathetic about.

I left my 2010 MacBook Air on a plane in October 2012. (I'm sure the manual also says not to leave your computer on a plane.) I got it replaced in December 2012 for $2199.00. Jump to Feb. 2013. Spilled liquid into computer. Brought it into Apple Store and signed an agreement to pay $800 to get it fixed. Today Apple repair called to tell me that the damage is too extensive and they can't fix it, meaning, I suppose, that the machine is worthless. This is the only terminal outcome I have had with an Apple Product since my first Mac in 1987. I have been a loyal customer through thick and thin with this company. And by thin, I mean when the company nearly went under in 1996. Have my feelings about Apple changed? Yes!

If anyone has anything good to say about a positive outcome to this situation, I would sure like to hear it. If not, do not bother to respond.

 

[thundersteele]

@OP

It seems you were lucky. I hope for you that there is no long term damage, but I would be optimistic at this point


@waroly
I don't understand what you are trying to say? You lost one laptop and damaged a second one irreparably. I don't see what this has to do with Apple.