I have some electrica goods that now don't work after being in a damp basement. Any ideas why and if I can fix em?

I have some electrica goods that now don't work after being in a damp basement. Any ideas why and if I can fix em? Very stupid thing to do I know but I was desperate and they were well wrapped up I thought!

Stuff that doesn't work any longer includes my hi fi speakers, a drill, a very expensive food mixer. And one of my computers died on me after retrieving it from the dreaded basement. I looked inside the computer and there was no sign of damp, mould or rust so I don't know what's going on.

Not too bothered about my old Mac but would like to get the other stuff working again. Is it all beyond repair? Any electrical boffins out there?

Thanks, Niall Asked by niall 39 months ago Similar questions: electrica goods work damp basement ideas fix em Consumer Electronics.

Similar questions: electrica goods work damp basement ideas fix em.

Typically on electronics, there'll be telltale signs of corrosion especially at solder points. Many electric motors shouldn't be too effected by just a little dampness though.In fact some devices, like fans, can be hosed off and, after thorough drying, can be used normally. The speakers may just be heavy corrosion on the connection points.

The drill problem may be something as simple as a heavy film on the commutator of the drill motor. Try turning it by hand several times, unplugged, then plug it in and see if it starts up. If so, run it a little so that the brushes reseat.

Since the mixer is the same, electro-mechanically (it actually runs on direct current, like the drill), the same procedure may work on it too. Just exercise caution when working with these and any electrical devices that may have been compromised.

1 If the moisture was trapped in the package (in other words, you had them wrapped too tightly) then it could easily have caused "rust" in the motors, at the connections or anywhere (especially mixed metals) that metal is exposed. Kind of like the corrossion on a car battery. It MIGHT be fixable, but I'd take the items that are worth saving to an electronics (small appliance) repair facility for an assessment and estimate.

Electricity is just too scary to me to try to fix things like this myself, but if you're handy, maybe you can take a peak inside for obvious corrosion and clean it off.

If the moisture was trapped in the package (in other words, you had them wrapped too tightly) then it could easily have caused "rust" in the motors, at the connections or anywhere (especially mixed metals) that metal is exposed. Kind of like the corrossion on a car battery. It MIGHT be fixable, but I'd take the items that are worth saving to an electronics (small appliance) repair facility for an assessment and estimate.

Electricity is just too scary to me to try to fix things like this myself, but if you're handy, maybe you can take a peak inside for obvious corrosion and clean it off.

2 Thanks for the answers, they were very useful. The speakers were down there a while - I forgot I had them, and I was waiting for an excuse to get rid of my computer, though I've managed to get the hard drives going and remove some useful documents. I couldn't see any mould or rust inside though - maybe it was a coincidence and damp had nothing to do with my computer's demise?

The cordless drill/screwdriver works fine, except when it comes to switching directions - it'll only work one way, so I suppose something mechanical has stuck. The kitchen stuff is most worrying - it's pretty new and was taken from a restaurant so it's expensive, industrial-quality. I think I'll have to take it somewhere to be looked at.

Does anyone know how to fix mouldy books? Only joking. Thanks againNiall .

Thanks for the answers, they were very useful. The speakers were down there a while - I forgot I had them, and I was waiting for an excuse to get rid of my computer, though I've managed to get the hard drives going and remove some useful documents. I couldn't see any mould or rust inside though - maybe it was a coincidence and damp had nothing to do with my computer's demise?

The cordless drill/screwdriver works fine, except when it comes to switching directions - it'll only work one way, so I suppose something mechanical has stuck. The kitchen stuff is most worrying - it's pretty new and was taken from a restaurant so it's expensive, industrial-quality. I think I'll have to take it somewhere to be looked at.

Does anyone know how to fix mouldy books? Only joking. Thanks againNiall.

3 Actually, you can remove mold from books.... The lastest advance is to use dry ice blasting. Sort of like sandblasting, but uses pulverized dry ice. The cold freezes the mold and the air knocks it off.

Amazing results! .

Actually, you can remove mold from books.... The lastest advance is to use dry ice blasting. Sort of like sandblasting, but uses pulverized dry ice. The cold freezes the mold and the air knocks it off.

Amazing results!

4 BTW, just thought of this too.... Plastic off-gasses corrosive chemicals. If you've ever seen a piece of silver that's been wrapped in plastic wrap in an attempt to prevent tarnish, you'd be amazed at the pits and permanent damage those gasses can do. You didn't mention, but don't ever wrap anything in plastic wrap to "preserve" it or protect it from moisture.It will do exacly the opposite...

BTW, just thought of this too.... Plastic off-gasses corrosive chemicals. If you've ever seen a piece of silver that's been wrapped in plastic wrap in an attempt to prevent tarnish, you'd be amazed at the pits and permanent damage those gasses can do. You didn't mention, but don't ever wrap anything in plastic wrap to "preserve" it or protect it from moisture.It will do exacly the opposite...

I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.