Repair is a common thing to want in a household and most of the time, some repairs need immediate attention since the parts to be repaired are frequently used. And this could be a home emergency, but for most of the parts like sinks, caulk, which is a waterproof sealant can do the magic. How Long Does Caulk Take to Dry?
How Long Does Caulk Take to Dry
The only problem is that caulk takes quite a long time to dry (for about 24 hours or more) and you probably need to use that bathroom tub in the morning but the problem is that the caulk is just not yet dry. Well here are some life hacks on how to make caulk dry faster.
Adding a drying catalyst to the caulk
For faster drying of the caulk, adding a drying catalyst to the caulk hardens the silicon in the caulk hence removing water and making it purer and more adhesive and as there is less water the caulk gets to dry faster. So for better and faster drying results buying a catalyst at your nearest workshop and using about two drops of the catalyst would be recommended for you.
Checking the expiry date when buying the caulk
When buying the caulk of your choice the expiration date should be an important thing to check since if the caulk is expired it tends to take a longer time to dry and you may probably get tired of waiting for the right time to use your bathroom tub, without ruining your caulk and you probably will blame the brand for selling you a product that clearly states that it dries fast, but that is not your experience with it.
Why not just start with fast making sure that it is fresh because the fresher it is the better the quality. So even if you have an old caulk just sitting somewhere around try, you would rather play more smart just buying a new one.
Opening the windows and doors closed to the caulk you want to dry
Increasing the amount of air in the area will give you a result that will be faster than other times. Aeration is the key to this as you increase the air movement by opening the doors and windows you increase the surface area in contact with the caulk hence the caulk dries up ore faster. It is probably the cheapest and the best method for all of those who mind using some extra cash.
Placing a fan near the caulk
This is probably the best action for you to take if the area with the caulk is not near a window or a door that leads to the outside where wind blows from so if the only option for you is aeration since it is the cheapest then why not try using the fan which could artificially work as wind for you and will take less time for the caulk to dry and you can get to using your repaired sinks in a shorter while than it would have taken it to dry naturally.
Using improved unique low-temperature caulk
In the stores near you could probably get the new improved low-temperature caulk which does not solidify in lower temperatures and can work well in cold places which are better than other caulk which does not work well in such conditions. It makes drying more faster and the better option if you probably do not mind spending some little extra cash to get the quality product, but the better part is that you save your time and you get more things done more quickly than with the normal silicon caulk products.
Avoiding storing the caulk in very hot temperatures
Storing caulk in high temperatures as this makes it more thick and corrugated and when it gets all lumpy it tends to take longer time to dry and hence the right temperatures should be about 15 to 26 degrees Celcius and should be stored in a dry cool place for good efficiency.
Increasing the humidity
Filling the place with humidity you have just caulked is highly recommended as the humidity works in a way as to fasten the process of drying but this is only recommended when using 100% silicon caulk. This can be done by spraying some water and then heating the room.
Buying caulk labeled as fast drying
If you are running out of time and you want a product that will dry up fast it is recommended for you to check the product you are buying not only for the expiry date but how long the specific product will take to dry up because some caulk are time-specific and will save you the energy by buying products that take less tie to dry up because they are two types of product. Ones that take normal time to dry up and ones that are written quick-drying products.
Drying the area the caulk is to be applied
When applying the caulk the area to be applied should be wiped dry using any dry item before the caulk is applied and even after the application of the caulk this is to make sure that the caulk takes minimum time to dry up and no running water should flow to the caulked area.
Removing excess sticky caulk
If when applying the caulk it becomes a mess and becomes too adhesive it is advisable to scrape it more to lessen it and to allow air to come in contact with it hence making the caulk dry faster. You could use a butter knife or scrape the excess sticky caulk.
Final thoughts on How Long Does Caulk Take to Dry?
If you are wondering how you long your caulk is going to take to dry, at normal conditions it will take about 24 hours but using all the above methods you can make your caulk dry faster in about an hour with the right storage and the right temperature and checking if it is in the right condition by checking the expiry date and using the above methods.
We hope our guide to how long does caulk take to dry has been helpful!
