Is a hard drive waterproof? That’s certainly the question you’re asking yourself! When exposed to a certain temperature, it can jam and stop working normally. As a result, you may lose your data and be unable to recover it if you’re not careful. To extend the lifespan of your storage device, you need to know the damage your storage device is exposed to when it comes into contact with water!
Why aren’t hard drives waterproof?
When submerged at a temperature below 5°C, your hard drive is at great risk. Indeed, humidity is an element that can negatively affect the operation of your storage device. It can increase the risk of condensation inside the casing of your HDD and cause internal mechanical damage. In short, a storage device is not waterproof and does not withstand contact with water.
Its internal components are designed to ensure the proper functioning of the hardware, not to resist contact with water. That’s why you must avoid any liquid spills on your storage equipment.
What damage can water cause to hard drives?
Since a hard drive is not waterproof, if submerged in water for a long or short period, it will suffer several types of damage. These major issues are generally mechanical and/or electrical failures. Among these, we can mention:
- Electrical short circuits
- Oxidation on the electronic board
- Crumbling of the SSD drive’s components
- Degradation of the read heads
- Staining or alteration of the platter surfaces, following flooding
- Deposits of debris, mud, or dust on the storage device’s internal components
- Presence of water inside the drive casing
What to do in case of data loss following a flood?
Knowing that a hard drive is not waterproof, it’s important to take measures to help you avoid the risk of loss. When your storage device comes into contact with water, following this advice will help you optimize the recovery of your files:
- Avoid plugging in your connections after it has been submerged in water. This reduces the risk of failure or damage to your storage device. We even recommend keeping it in a dry, non-humid space.
- Above all, avoid drying your storage device in the sun. We also advise against drying it with a drying tool such as a hair dryer or any other device. You can let it dry naturally in the shade. This will make the data recovery process easier.
- Since the hard drive is not waterproof, once it has come into contact with water, you must avoid opening it. Indeed, it can become corrupted and damaged by dust and fine particles that can contaminate its read heads. This also protects your device from air exposure.
- Never replace the electronic board of your hard drive yourself or through inexperienced third parties. It contains important information stored in its components. In the event of a mishandling, you risk permanently losing your files.
How to recover data from a hard drive damaged by water?
Have you been the victim of flooding and want to back up the files on your non-waterproof hard drive? The most reliable and secure solution is to call on a data recovery specialist. This professional has the skills and experience necessary to help you overcome your data loss issues caused by water damage.
Furthermore, the processes they use are secure and reliable. First, they carry out an assessment of your storage device. This allows them to determine which procedure to use to restore your data on the SSD or HDD.
Opening your non-waterproof storage device is only done in a cleanroom. This is a specialized laboratory that allows the professional to ensure the security and protection of your personal information. This room is free of any dust or fine particles that could cause the degradation of the read heads and platters of your storage device. During a flood or water damage, your hard drive may be affected. Because it is not waterproof, you must take the right measures to protect your data. One of the solutions we recommend is to regularly back up your files. In addition, we also advise you to always contact professionals to carry out the recovery of your data. This way, you reduce the risk of permanent loss.