When cell phones first started appearing in my house one of the biggest problems was how quickly they got broken. Perhaps we just weren't used to carrying them around but the first few ended up with cracked screens or got soaking wet. We tried to protect them with various types of cases made from leather to thick rubber but they kept getting broken.

Can cell phones be repaired? Well that depends entirely on the extent of the damage. The component parts of cell phones actually cost only pennies, it's the time involved that costs the money. By the time you add up postage each way, the cost of parts, profit and the labor involved you're probably looking at a bill that far exceeds the actual value of the phone.

Unless you purchased a really expensive phone. Some devices that cost over $400 for example like the new 64GB iPhoneS4 come with a 90-day warranty if the device itself should go wrong. My advice if you're going to spend a large amount of money on a mobile device is to purchase some kind of insurance. For $49 you can have your iPhoneS4 repaired twice should you accidentally smash it up. If you're the clumsy type, then that's probably a much better option than a huge repair bill that nearly matches the cost of a new iPhone.

All major carriers offer extended warranties and insurance against accidental breakages and theft, so if you love your phone, rely on it for just about everything and you know you're going to be keeping it for a year or more, this is probably a far better alternative to trying to get it repaired.

If your cell phone simply got wet, remove the battery and try submerging it in a bag of rice for a day or so, the dry rice should absorb any water. Alternatively you can try removing the battery and placing it in front of a blow drier set on low for a while. Protect the screen from scratches by using a thick clear film you can buy at any cell phone accessory shop, and while you're there find a durable case for it, prevention is the best cure after all.

If at the end of the day your cell phone is completely useless recycle it, even though you are thoroughly disgusted. 125 million cell phones are thrown away every year in the US creating an enormous environmental hazard, they contain toxic lead, cadmium and beryllium and a fire retardant that can cause brain damage.

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