Water Damage & Flooded Basement Restoration Services

Repairing a Water Damaged Playstation 3

By the RestorationSOS Educational Staff

PlayStation 3 video game systems are becoming increasingly popular in homes across the country, providing a level of game playing excitement and involvement that is hard to match among most other gaming systems. Unfortunately, these units are particularly susceptible to water damage and the risk of electrical malfunction is considerable.

What to do Immediately after Water Damage

The key to salvaging a water damaged PlayStation3 is to act quickly, reducing the chance for water to settle in and cause more than the initial damage to the unit. Most warranties do not cover problems related to accidents or negligence, so the repair costs will fall to you, the owner.

As with any electrical device, you will need to power down the PS3 using the OFF switch and remove all inputs including the power supply and any attached USB cords. Use a clean towel to dry off the unit as much as possible. As with any case of water damage, the longer you wait the more problems you are left to overcome.

Fill a tub or basin with plain, white rice, as this is highly absorbent and can effectively draw out water from electronic devices. Kitty litter has the same effect and may be used in lieu of rice. Use a paper towel to cover all vents on the PS3 unit and then place the unit in the tub of rice, submerging it completely. Cover the tub with a lid and allow it to sit for three to five days, leaving plenty of time for drying and for the rice to draw out and absorb the water.

It is important to make sure that the unit is completely dry before any power-up is attempted. Turning on the power prematurely may result in either malfunction or electrical shock, neither of which is preferable.

Further Options for a Water Damaged Playstation 3

After the three to five day drying period, you may attempt to power the unit. The rice may have restored some functions and you will need to see which ones work and which do not. In many cases the unit will be playable; in others, the unit may have been too severely damaged. In most instances the functionality of the unit will be in direct proportion to the amount of time the unit was allowed to remain wet.

If all else fails, contact the manufacturer. Even though water damage isn't covered by warranty, you may still be lucky and receive discounted service or a refurbished model as a replacement. It never hurts to ask.

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