Have you ever used caulk in your shower and waited for it to cure properly? But are you confused? No need to worry because how long the caulk will take to dry before showering usually depends on what caulking you have used. There are mainly three types of caulk and they are acrylic latex caulks, polyurethane, and silicone.
People use them according to their choice, but for a wet area, silicone is the best. Because it is suitable for professional usage with its water resistance capacity. Moreover, silicone dries faster than other caulks, though many users are confused about the drying duration of the caulk.
In this article, we will discuss the drying duration of caulk before you take a shower.
What is The Nature of Silicone Caulk?
Silicone caulk is famous for its home application. Silicone can resist any temperature. Furthermore, they are flexible, elastic, and stable over a wide range of temperatures. Their flexibility makes them excellent for use in repair and maintenance.
Silicone caulk mainly provides a thick consistency like glue but is not as similar as super glue or any other traditional glue. Silicone becomes dry quickly compared to other sealants. After applying silicon in the shower, wait 24 hours to re-apply the caulk.
Special Nature:
Users can not paint over silicone caulk. It is a multi-purpose caulk. This caulk is not sticky and can be washed out very easily.
Duration of Silicone Drying After Applying: 3 Probable Situation
Caulk is a sealant that prevents water from leaking into gaps between fittings such as tubs, tiling, countertops, and sinks. The mixture can seal the borders of water-connected systems in bathrooms, kitchens, and other areas. Aside from water, the adhesive also seals air leaks through fractures, gaps, and joints less than 14 inches wide. To apply the material, you’ll need a gun that’s been loaded with caulk.
The proper drying process of caulk is essential. Otherwise, it can be damaged after using water or applying pressure. So the caulk should be dried so that it does not move after any additional effect or touch.
The silicone sealant dries in 30–60 minutes without possibly shaking or damaging the caulking surface. But still, 12 hours is preferable. On the other hand, acrylic latex caulk needs 24 to 48 hours to dry completely. Polyurethane caulk needs 10 days.
It takes 24 hours for the drying and re-caulking process. Although a few caulks on the market dry and cure completely faster, they usually take 1-3 hours. But, the manufacturer suggests waiting a bit longer even after the caulk has been cured. You may expose it to water. However, before applying, just check the drying instructions on the packaging.
Apart from them, drying duration depends on four factors:
1. Types of Silicone
There are mainly two types of silicon available. One is neutral cured, and the other one is acid cure completely. All silicone caulks are not dry equally. Because of the formula and type of caulk, some caulk can dry quicker than others. High-quality silicone, such as high-temperature caulk, has a more complex chemical formula and requires a longer time to dry.
On the other hand, some silicones are a mixture of acrylic and latex. This type of caulk takes a longer time to dry. To avoid harmful incidents, read the manufacturer’s instructions and follow the accurate drying curing process. Fast-drying silicone sealant always have a significant drying time so that you can use your bathroom sooner.
Tips:
Use a well-branded silicone caulk in your shower, such as Gorilla Clear 100% Silicone Sealant Caulk.
2. Humidity Level
The amount of moisture evaporate in the air greatly impacts the time it takes for caulk to cure. The caulk takes longer to apply as there is less humidity in the room. You can cooperate to speed up the curing process with the humidity fluctuation. Some household equipment can significantly improve the efficiency of the curing process of caulk. You may use a humidifier to boost the room’s humidity and shorten the curing period.
Tips:
While applying caulk, keep the shower ventilated so air can pass easily.
3. Temperature Level
The drying duration of caulk also depends on the temperature. Such as, in warm weather, caulk dries very fast, and in cold weather, it takes a long time to dry. It takes a longer period to dry caulk in the cold, but too much warm weather is also not good for caulking. Check your caulk package for directions and a range of temperature requirements.
Moist air has a tendency to dry wet things quickly. It decreases the drying period of silicone caulk as usual. Therefore, freezing air can also make polyurethane caulk hard to dry effectively. In the same way, acrylic latex caulk can freeze in exceptionally cold conditions. Hotter temperatures and at least the humidity of the surrounding air provide a favorable environment for caulk drying.
You may consider using a hair dryer or fan to speed up the whole process, although a higher heat softens level is not recommended. The heat weakens the caulk, which may eventually melt.
So, to boost the drying period, choose the appropriate weather.
Tips:
Between 40 and 80 degrees, Fahrenheit is the best temperature level for drying caulking.
Moreover, clean your shower surface and make it mold-free for a successful application of silicone. Moisture evaporate seepage or damp surfaces can hamper the caulking process. Do not apply new caulk to your old silicone caulk before using a fresh silicone humid environment because air passing circumstances are essential for such installation.
Applying caulk in the winter season may require several days of the drying period.
How to Know If the Caulk is Ready or Not?
After waiting for 12 or 24 hours, go to the shower and run your finger over the check. Do not use water directly at the beginning. If you see that the applied caulk is not sticky, you can be sure that the caulk is ready and the shower is ready to use.
Tip:
Do not use a sponge or any hard material to check the dryness of the caulk.
Final Tips
To conclude, in the shower or any wet area, just use silicone caulk and wait for 12 to 24 hours for it to dry completely. Hopefully, our information will help them out with your shower installation.
If you are not happy with silicone, you have two more choices: latex and polyurethane.
Want to Learn More:
- Using Grout Instead of Caulk: Possible or Not?
- How Long Does Silicone Caulk Last: Reason for Aging and How to Prevent It!
Hello! this is John Cox. If I’m not wrong, you love Home. Right? And you already met one of them who’ve been in this field since 2005 and still go on. According to my interest, I’ve started this blog to share my thoughts about Home sectors, and you’ll love it.
