Help Water Damage Warning! Protect it now!

twospirits · May 22, 2010

Thanks for the tip and info on this Water Damage indicator/sticker. Good thread.

But I do have a few questions.

1-How do you know that is a water damage indicator? Does it say so in the papers that came with the device?

2-You state you cover it up with a piece of paper and scotch tape, but wouldn't that get water also and transfer to the Water damage indicator?

I guess covering it up with anything is better than not, but I'm curious.

TS

Edit: I just noticed that my Hero also has something similar on the lower left side of the back of the phone. Very Interesting.

GeneralPatton · May 22, 2010

twospirits said:
1-How do you know that is a water damage indicator? Does it say so in the papers that came with the device?

2-You state you cover it up with a piece of paper and scotch tape, but wouldn't that get water also and transfer to the Water damage indicator?

I guess covering it up with anything is better than not, but I'm curious.

1 - Although I can't gaurantee it, I too would say that is the water damage indicator. Most phones have them in that rough size somewhere in the back cover. I know of a few phones that tend to have them beneath the battery though so they don't show false-positives, but, having it so close to the edge, it can easily turn to the red or pink color indicating water.

The thing about these indicators is that even in high humidity days they have been known to change colors because of the 'moisture' in the air. It has caused for many complaints as peoples warranties were voided. There was actually a test done where a person bought a phone on a humid day, walked outside, took the back case off and watched it turn color, then walked right back into the Sprint Store and shown them. I cannot remember which phone, and where it took place, but I believe I recall the Sprint Rep telling me those specific indicators were then removed from phones. Either way, better to be safe than sorry.

2 - If you can truly seal off all edges with a piece of tape so there is absolutely no gap, it should most likely protect it from any water or moisture.

** Recalling this story that the Sprint Rep told me, I would actually truly recommend everyone put a little piece of tape over these indicators when they get their EVO. You may not even know it happens, but considering the phone is releasing in the summer, all you need is to be using it on a hot, humid 90+ degree day and next thing you know, you lose your warranty because the indicator shows signs of water.

htc.EVOlution · May 22, 2010

twospirits said:
Thanks for the tip and info on this Water Damage indicator/sticker. Good thread.

But I do have a few questions.

1-How do you know that is a water damage indicator? Does it say so in the papers that came with the device?

2-You state you cover it up with a piece of paper and scotch tape, but wouldn't that get water also and transfer to the Water damage indicator?

I guess covering it up with anything is better than not, but I'm curious.

TS

Edit: I just noticed that my Hero also has something similar on the lower left side of the back of the phone. Very Interesting.

you can google the term and you will find the info. i've been using HTC devices since the mogul, diamond, touch pro, touch pro2, and not the evo. they all have the water indicator.

Nem_Zero · May 22, 2010

sean76 said:
That's BS....terrible spot

Yeah, they know the kickstand indention is the perfect place for water to accidentally access the back of the phone, and it's not even a centimeter away from that indention.

twospirits · May 22, 2010

Like I said, excellent thread. I included it in the "All Forum Specific Links" thread.
Added a new paragraph for "Issues and Fixes".

Good looking out guys.

TS

Federer · May 22, 2010

is there a place to buy water damage stickers? if so just buy some and replace it if you have water damage

edit: Ebay has tons of them, not sure if any will look like the one on the evo.

htc.EVOlution · May 22, 2010

twospirits said:
Like I said, excellent thread. I included it in the "All Forum Specific Links" thread.
Added a new paragraph for "Issues and Fixes".

Good looking out guys.

TS

appreciated! Thanks

ashykat · May 22, 2010

Covert_Death said:
yea it is a water damager sticker, if you google image search it im sure you'd find some pics but i would think JUST scotch tape would work better, in order to completely seal it, it seems like your picture up above with the paper water might get in from the sides

I've never tried it, but I would think that putting JUST scotch tape may damage the indicator when you peel it off, which you would need to do if you were to return the phone for replacement. I'm pretty sure they would void your warranty for tampering. I think the piece of paper solves that problem very well, although I would definitely make sure the seal was good along the sides.

IFMISM · May 22, 2010

They normally put 2 on the phone, one under the back cover and another under the acual casing. I had mine turn on my tp2 under the battery cover, but they still covered it because the other one was not discolored.

On a side note, although I am not saying this is right... The last time I had to use my insurance I actually called sprint 1st to suspend it on their end, then called he insurance company to replace it. Later I found the phone and called sprintand they reactivated it on my acct. They also let me keep the replacement as a back up. They told me I could not sell the original phone because then they would flag it for fraud.

edlex · May 22, 2010

I would conside squaretrade insurance for those that are worried about this. Not only is it cheaper but for accidents/ water damage deductible is $50. No loss or theft coverage though.

tictac · May 22, 2010

what i do in this situation, which has happened a couple of times, is to remove the sticker with a knife. when you take it to sprint, the sticker isnt there. they arent going to say "why did you take the water damage sticker off?". instead, they will just think that for some reason this phone came from the production line without one.

like i said, ive done this a couple times with no issues.

MisterEd · May 22, 2010

htc.EVOlution said:
this is the exact reason why i want to cover it up. even if you have insurance the Sprint Rep can give you bullshit about how you got water in the phone or something and refuse to try to fix it and give you a hard time.

The tape is a good thought but water & water vapor is notorious .... it will either seep under the tape (tape gets loose if it gets damp) or the humidity from the droplets of water will cause it to change anyway due to condensation. The piece of paper could also retain the dampness and the whole thing might backfire on you if you are in a high humidity location.

That is an awful spot for that indicator. Keep it away from the bathroom when you shower.

MisterEd · May 22, 2010

edlex said:
I would conside squaretrade insurance for those that are worried about this. Not only is it cheaper but for accidents/ water damage deductible is $50. No loss or theft coverage though.

It's actually more expensive because you have to pay the full amount up front and (for example) if you need to make a claim after 3 months and get a replacement you have to pay the full amount of the insurance up front again for the next phone. With the Sprint insurance you have up to 4 (I think) claims per year and you just continuously pay the $7. So in 1 year, with Squaretrade, if you replaced 1 phone and got another replacement one you pay close to $300 in insurance alone (if you insure the replacement).

hopalee · May 22, 2010

It's so hard for me to decide whether or not to get insurance. The one thing that always keeps me from paying for it is the fact that I'm a "phone whore" and always want what I deem to be the coolest new thing. With the insurance, you have to get the same phone and it's not guaranteed to be a new one.

As far as the water damage, I always take my Pre in the bathroom to listen to music while I'm in the shower. Now I know why the water damage indicator is red....LOL! But my first Pre actually fell into a sink full of water, but somehow survived. Then many months later I took it in because the power button stopped working and they never said anything about the water damage. Gah, don't know what to choose.

MindTrainer · May 22, 2010

I just wanted to point out that even if an EVO is no longer allowed to be used with the Sprint network, it is still a powerful media player and gaming machine. And as we have recently learned it's also a radio. I am not sure but I'll bet it can still access the web via WiFi.

Subsequently a lost EVO will still have great value and will never be relegated to a drawer...

stroths · May 23, 2010

hopalee said:
...With the insurance, you have to get the same phone and it's not guaranteed to be a new one.

Depending on the situation, you don't necessarily have to get the same phone. For example, after replacing several faulty Touch Pros (keyboard issues, overheating, paint flaking off etc) they gave me a Touch Pro 2. Before that, a lot of Mogul users got theirs replaced with the original Touch Pro. Sprint has a list that shows what phone to give you if yours is not available or if the situation calls for you getting an upgrade. It's not like you can have a razor and get it traded up to an Evo

droidtime · May 23, 2010

MisterEd said:
It's actually more expensive because you have to pay the full amount up front and (for example) if you need to make a claim after 3 months and get a replacement you have to pay the full amount of the insurance up front again for the next phone. With the Sprint insurance you have up to 4 (I think) claims per year and you just continuously pay the $7. So in 1 year, with Squaretrade, if you replaced 1 phone and got another replacement one you pay close to $300 in insurance alone (if you insure the replacement).

Are you sure? I thought the ST warranty was transferable.

Side note: Can anyone make a definitive thread on TEP vs ST? Pros and cons of both? I would, but I'm far too uniformed--hell, I'm not even a Sprint customer...yet.

nullspace · May 23, 2010

jadoe05 said:
This is true, but I see where the confusion comes in. I believe there are three different things that people call "Sprint insurance" You have the sprint warranty which i'm not sure if it covers water damage. You have sprint's insurance plan which doesn't cover water damage. Then you have the $7 monthly insurance which isn't actually sprint it is assurion. That is the one that covers water damage.

The warranty is 30 or 60 days i believe

The sprint insurance which is what you use when going to a store or calling sprint doesn't cover water damage so if you go to a store they won't attempt to "fix" the phone if it has water damage. However i do believe you can (legal or not) get a refurb or discount on a replacement in store.

The assurion insurance you go to phoneclaim.com or call assurion. They don't fix they only replace. It may be new or refurb and it is the same amount either way. best option to use is lost because if you claim stolen you need a police report and if you claim damage you have to send your phone back.

Hope this clears some things up.

So what do you ask for when buying the phone to get insurance that covers water damage/loss/theft etc and not the Sprint one that doesn't cover water damage? TIA

jadoe05 · May 23, 2010

nullspace said:
So what do you ask for when buying the phone to get insurance that covers water damage/loss/theft etc and not the Sprint one that doesn't cover water damage? TIA

Just get the $7 insurance. I'll do some research and see what exactly it is called as i really forget. lol

http://www1.sprintpcs.com/explore/ueContent.jsp?scTopic=pcsTotalEquipmentProtection

The TEP is the assurion insurance which they say "combines" the ERP and ESRP they are truly different as I explained in my post above. Also the prices on there may not be up to date. I believe the TEP deductible for "dumb" phones is $50 for smart phones it is $100 - $150

Michael. · May 23, 2010

I already have the insurance with Sprint. But since I'm getting the phone from BB, should I get their plan as well? :thinking:

Brumeister · May 23, 2010

I heard BB insurance has a lot of restrictions on it... you might have to read the fine print.

MisterEd · May 23, 2010

droidtime said:
Are you sure? I thought the ST warranty was transferable.

Side note: Can anyone make a definitive thread on TEP vs ST? Pros and cons of both? I would, but I'm far too uniformed--hell, I'm not even a Sprint customer...yet.

They are TRANSFERABLE if you sell the phone to someone else but if a claim is made it is terminated. I am 100% certain of this from personal experience (UNLESS it has changed in the last 60 days).

Zanthexter · May 24, 2010

Michael. said:
I already have the insurance with Sprint. But since I'm getting the phone from BB, should I get their plan as well?

No, you'd only be able to file a claim with one or the other, not both.

I happen to live near a Sprint repair store, I've had them look at two phones so far. For me, TEP is worth it because the store is nearby and the folks (so far) have been decent. I've heard of people having to be without a cell phone for some really long lengths of time with Best Buy.

Zanthexter · May 24, 2010

MisterEd said:
It's actually more expensive because you have to pay the full amount up front and (for example) if you need to make a claim after 3 months and get a replacement you have to pay the full amount of the insurance up front again for the next phone.

Most (if not all) EVO plans should qualify for Sprint Premier status, which means getting a new phone every 12 months. (Come on, you know you will

)

Unless you plan on insurance fraud, ST doesn't work well for the EVO.

SprintTerp · May 24, 2010

Insurance deductibles with Sprint are $50 for 'normal' phones and $100 for smartphones. As of this point, there are none more expensive than $100.

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