Caulking is important as it prevents mildew and mold growth in the bathrooms. But after some time, it gets old and starts coming off, which calls for a new application. Some people notice it takes longer to dry after applying – so, why is bathroom caulk not drying?
Many factors contribute to your bathroom caulk not drying as you expect, creating inconveniences in using this room. Moisture, extremely high or low temperatures, bead size, and the cleanliness of the surface are some of the reasons. These factors have a practical solution to reduce the time it takes to dry your bathroom caulk.
I will be covering various reasons why your bathroom caulk is not drying and share tips for making the process faster.
Why Your Bathroom Caulk is Not Drying
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Imagine having that long-awaited renovation for your bathroom, and when you are about to use it, you realize the caulk is yet to dry. You definitely start getting concerned about the make-over. Was the contractor really professional? Did anything go wrong during the renovation? Is it safe to use the bathroom in its condition? To answer you, let us look at a few things that can make your bathroom caulk not dry:
Expired Caulk
You probably are one of those property owners who assume stock movement is done properly in all stores. Well, that is a wrong assumption that can cost you dearly. Although most retailers do a first-in, first-out stock movement, some are ignorant about this rule of thumb.
So, despite the store’s goods moving fast, those that came in earlier take long before getting sold. Some of them have their shelf lives expiring. If you are unlucky, you can land on one of the expired caulks.
Some caulk dries in the tubes after expiration, while others remain in the same condition. Using the expired caulk will frustrate your remodeling/repair efforts. Approximately 15-20 minutes should be enough for your caulk to start forming a skin after applying. But with expired caulk, the skin never seems to develop.
The Caulk Size
Bathroom caulks are often produced to be fast-drying to provide convenience to property owners. Although they come with this superb quality, you should be keen on the amount you apply.
Bigger beads take longer to dry than smaller ones. Try cutting a reasonable size at the nozzle to allow a good bead size application. A big gap removes excess caulk and forms uneven bead sizes that take longer to dry.
Moisture
It is recommendable to ensure the surface you want to caulk is dry. The moisture in the atmosphere is always not a concern because most areas have moderate humidity. If you fail to dry the surface, you will notice a longer drying time than that set by the manufacturer.
Places with high humidity are hard to keep dry. For such instances, caulk will take long before it starts drying. A dehumidifier can become handy in helping get rid of the excess humidity.
Type of Caulk
You cannot use any caulk you come across for your bathroom. Some caulks are meant for use in specific areas and conditions, making them unsuitable for other areas. Since bathrooms are wet places, caulks that can withstand such conditions are preferred.
Silicon and latex are preferred for use in the bathroom areas. If you use other types, they may not withstand the bathroom conditions, taking longer to dry.
Also, when discussing the type of caulk, the material being worked on matters. If your caulk and the material are not compatible, it will take longer to dry. The surface of the caulk seems to dry within the first few minutes, but you will notice the inside part of the caulk looking pasty.
Temperature
When caulking your bathroom, the temperature should be at least 8-10 degrees Celsius. Otherwise, when the temperatures are too high or too low, the drying time of your caulk gets affected.
Low temperatures, like those in the winter, tend to be dry. For caulk to dry, it requires a little humidity in the air. The humidity tends to be mild in warm temperatures, which is perfect while applying caulk. Hot weather has high humidity, making caulk take longer to dry.
Quality of the Caulk
After getting the right caulk for your bathroom, you should also consider its quality. Often, the quality of the caulk is determined by how fresh it is. New caulk holds better and dries faster than the old one.
It can be expensive to have a fresh caulk each time you want to repair it, but the expense is worth it if the area you are working on is extensive. You can compare repairs you have done with fresh caulk and a leftover one and see which lasts longer. Fresh caulk dries faster because its quality is yet to be compromised.
Tips to Consider before Caulking Your Bathroom
You do not want caulking frustrations to catch up with you. To avoid long wait time and an incredible output for your bathroom caulking work, consider:
Not Using Caulk Alone on Huge Gaps
Using caulk alone in more significant gaps makes it take longer to dry and is not as efficient as intended. Consider using other materials to reduce the gap before caulking.
Clean the Surface
Avoid using caulk on dirty surfaces or over old caulk. Consider removing it as part of cleaning the surface. Since it is old and dry, you can use a scrape knife or razor to avoid hurting your fingers.
Once the old caulk is out, use a rag and rubbing alcohol to clean the surface. Ensure it is smooth and dry. The caulk dries evenly and fast on such surfaces.
Use Your Finger to Smooth the Caulk
Using a finger helps in improving adhesion on both sides of the gap and also makes the caulked area look great. Use smaller beads of caulk to have a clean job.
Besides making the adhesion great, smoothing the caulk makes it even, making it take a little time to dry. You can use a silicone cloth to cover your finger while working for protection. However, do not allow lint to accumulate as it may affect the results.
Schedule Your Work
We have seen temperature affects the drying time of caulk in bathrooms. Consider scheduling your repair/remodeling project when the weather is favorable.
If you experience more extended winter periods and your project can’t wait that long, consider adjusting the temperature in your bathroom.
Prep the Area
You will not be working on all surfaces of your bathroom. It is important to cover them, so you only caulk specific areas. A painter’s tape becomes handy.
Use long strips of tape to protect these surfaces and allow you to work freely. Longer strips are easy to remove. Once the caulk has dried, carefully remove the strips, and your surfaces will be clean and neat.
Have you had trouble with your caulk not drying after applying it to your bathroom? I hope you have understood the reason. Most challenges associated with the caulk’s drying time are avoidable. Enjoy a faster drying time by considering the factors mentioned here before embarking on your bathroom repair/renovation project.
