Are you worried that your mobile battery is swollen? Well it should, as this not only means that it is faulty, it also represents a fire hazard . Yes, you read that correctly, swollen cell phone batteries can catch fire and explode.

Now that you know, surely you must be wondering what to do with this problem with your mobile battery , but do not worry, we will explain the steps you have to follow when you have a swollen battery.

Why does the mobile battery swell?

The first thing you have to know is why this has happened to the drums. Bloating happens when the smartphone battery overheats, breaks down, or ends its useful life.

Under these circumstances, a failure occurs in the chemical process carried out by the batteries, which produces toxic gases . To protect mobile device users, all batteries are manufactured with an airtight casing that does not allow these gases to escape from the casing.

Consequently, gases build up and cause the bloating characteristic of a damaged battery. If the smartphone is one of those with a removable battery, just remove the back cover to see the swollen battery. But what if it is a mobile without a removable battery? In that case, you should look for the following signs that indicate that the battery has swollen:

• A lack of sharpness or a white spot on the screen can be indicative that the battery has swelled and is pressing on it.
• The presence of a strange smell emanating from the phone . We recommend that you do not try to smell your mobile closely if you suspect that it has a damaged battery.
• Swelling of the back cover or mobile screen.
• Unusually high device temperature.

What to do if the mobile battery is swollen?

The most recommended thing is that if you have already detected that your smartphone’s battery is swollen, you go to a mobile repair professional to remove and replace it. Now, if you feel prepared and safe to remove the swollen battery from your mobile, before doing so you must take into account the following precautions:

• You should wear protective equipment such as gloves, safety glasses, and a mask to prevent the chemicals and gases from the battery from causing harm to you.
• Do this in a ventilated area , or outdoors if there is no humidity or rain.
• Remove the battery on a non-flammable surface , avoid wooden tables.
• Keep a bucket of sand or a fire extinguisher nearby to control a possible battery fire.
• Completely discharge the mobile battery before starting the procedure. This reduces the risk of a fire.
• Whatever you do, never expose the swollen battery to moisture or water . The lithium in batteries can react with water, causing a terrible accident.

How to remove a swollen battery

If with all the precautions we have described above you still dare to remove the damaged battery from your mobile, then the first thing you have to do is find out if your smartphone has a removable battery .

If so, you just have to remove the back cover of the terminal and remove the battery. Otherwise, you have to search the Internet for a tutorial on how to disassemble your mobile , since this procedure varies depending on the model. To disassemble the terminal you have to use only blunt plastic tools. This way you avoid piercing the swollen battery.

One of the problems that you may find when you manage to open the mobile is that the battery is strongly attached. To solve this you can use a solvent . Alcohol and acetone are good solvents, but you should avoid abusing these products, as they are flammable.

Finally, we recommend that you be patient since this procedure has to be carried out with great care to avoid any type of accident. Once again we remind you that it is best for a professional to take care of this job .

I already took out the swollen battery, now what do I do?

If you managed to remove the damaged battery from your mobile, surely you are wondering what to do with it, and with good reason, since you will have in your hands a waste that can potentially explode. First you should know that you cannot simply throw it away as if it were any other product, since it is a type of waste that has to be treated with caution.

If you make the mistake of disposing of the battery with other debris, you can start a really dangerous fire. For this reason, you have to find a fireproof container to throw it away . A fireproof container? Yes, that is, a container that cannot catch fire. For example, you cannot put a swollen battery in a cardboard box. It is recommended to put it in a metal bucket filled with sand.

Once you have a bad battery in a fireproof container, the next thing to do is know where to take it. To do this, you have to find an electronic waste recycling center in your area. These are places where all kinds of faulty electronic devices are professionally processed, so they are the right place to get rid of your swollen battery.

Tips to prevent your mobile battery from swelling

All batteries have a useful life period, so when they age there is always the possibility that they will swell . Now, if you put it to good use, you can prevent your mobile battery from reaching this state. For this we give you the following tips:

• Charge your mobile only when you have around 20% battery.
• Disconnect the charger when the battery reaches 80% .
• Avoid drops and bumps of the mobile, as these can damage the battery.
• Do not expose the smartphone to high temperatures that overheat the battery.

If you are interested in getting to know your mobile battery in depth to know how to take care of it, take a look at this article where we explain what charge cycles are and how you can make your mobile battery last longer.

The post This is what you have to do if your mobile battery is swollen first appeared on CuteRank.