Roof leaks can be stressful, frustrating, and embarrassing. After identifying existing roof leaks, you either think of a new roof or a roof sealant. If you think sealing your roof is the best way to fix the leak, you must consider how long the sealant takes to dry before embarking on the whole process.
Roof sealant dries in 8-10 hours and takes about 24 hours to fully cure. The exact drying, however, depends on the weather conditions. The sealant dries much faster in hot and dry temperatures than in cold and humid climates, where the sealant takes longer to dry.
To learn more about how long it takes roof sealant to dry, continue reading below to discover additional information about the topic.
Factors that Impact the Drying Time of Roof Sealant
You are probably wondering how to know the specific amount of time it will take for your roof coating to dry. Will it be eight, ten, or twenty-four hours? You may also be wondering why other roof coatings are dry to the touch a few minutes after application.
To answer the second question, most roof sealants will be dry to the touch a couple of minutes after application, but it will need a couple of hours to thoroughly dry. Here are some important factors that will help you know how long your sealant will take to dry.
Humidity Levels
The amount of moisture in the atmosphere will influence the drying time of your roof coating. Generally speaking, roof coatings will dry faster in hot temperatures with dry weather and take longer in humid environments.
However, keep in mind that different types of roof coating respond differently to humidity. For example, an acrylic latex-based caulk dries as the water evaporates from the material. So, it will dry faster in less humid environments.
On the other hand, silicone roof coatings need more moisture for drying and curing. Hence, they will dry faster in high humidity.
Amount of Roof Sealant Applied
In simple terms, the more roof coating you apply, the longer the drying time, and vice-versa. However, be careful not to apply limited amounts of roof coatings as it can lead to a weak grip. The result? You will have another roof leak soon enough.
Excessive application of roof coatings is also quite harmful as it can cause the coating to harden on the outside while it’s still not dry on the inside.
Size of the Roof Leak
Closely related to the amount applied is the size of the existing roof leaks. Generally speaking, roof coatings take a lot of time to dry if the roof leak is wide, as you will have applied more caulk.
A warning, though, don’t be tempted to apply less or think less roof coating stop leaks because you want faster dry times. The timespan difference in drying will not be worth the number of times you will need to re-do the caulking.
Are you Painting Caulk or Not?
You will also need to consider whether you are painting caulk or not. How long does it take for caulk to dry if painting? If you wish to paint the caulk, your roof coating will take longer to dry.
You, however, need to ensure that the caulk is completely dry before commencing any paintwork. In this case, I recommend you allow the caulk 24 hours to dry, irrespective of the timespan difference allowed by manufacturers.
How to Make Roof Sealant Dry Faster?
By now, you are aware that there is a difference between drying and curing. In addition, you know that even when your roof coating feels dry on the inside, it’s only playing some tricks on you and will need a few more hours (up to 24 hours) before it’s completely dry.
So, how long does it take when you are in a rush? Can you make roof coating dry faster? Well, the good news is that you can make coating dry faster. Here is how;
Use a Fan or Dehumidifier/ Humidifier to Dry the Sealant
As funny as it may sound, you can get fans on your roof and point them towards the coating. As the fans circulate and blow the air, the sealant will dry faster, usually twice less time than normal.
If you can get a portable dehumidifier to your roof, it would also quicken the drying process. It will remove as much moisture as possible from the area surrounding the roof.
Remember, some roof coatings need moisture to dry and cure, such as silicone caulks. For such products, you can get a humidifier to allow faster drying. While at it, ensure that you do not place the fans or the humidifier too close to the coating as it may cause it to have holes.
Use Fresh Sealant for your Roofs
‘Old is gold?’ Unfortunately, this adage doesn’t apply one of the few times – when using roof coatings. An old sealant has deteriorated in quality and may not be the best choice for your entire roof, whether flat or normal. Why? Old roof sealants may never fully cure. Fresh sealant allows the creation of a tight seal that will cure within a reasonable period.
Tightly Hold the Coating to the Surface that it’s Bonding with
How long does it take for caulking that is moving around to dry? If your roof caulking moves around, there are high chances that it may take longer to dry. If you are in a hurry, zip ties and locking wrenches will come in handy. They will hold the roof coating in place, allowing it to seal and dry quite well in under 24 hours.
What to do if Roof Coating Gets Wet Before Drying
Did you notice an existing roof leak under unfavorable weather conditions-like during the winter months? You probably did since it’s the time that water is highly likely to drip into your house.
However, with all the cautionary warnings on caulking to avoid contact with moisture, you may be in a dilemma. What should you do if the coating gets wet before drying?
If your roof coatings only have a small amount of moisture build-up- probably due to higher humidity levels or wet conditions, then it’s easy to solve.
You will only need to pat dry the moisture-laden area with a paper towel. Do it very carefully to prevent the paper towel from carrying away any coating. Allow coating to dry off afterward.
But because accidents happen, you can always have a tad of coating where you have taken it off. So you will not experience a single leak after this.
Your coating may get soaked before drying if heavy rains or a serious snowstorm happens to come about after application. In this case, I recommend that you take off all the coating, dry the surface and start your caulking all over again. When doing this, it’s common to find that some parts are extra soaked or the caulking has dripped off from moisture.
Use a blow dryer to dry completely for the extra soaked parts before attempting a second application. Next, you will need a putty knife or a box knife to remove the strips of caulking that have dripped off from moisture. But, you will need to be extra careful with the box knife as it is not as controllable and safe as a putty knife.
Alternatively, use the products designed for wet weather conditions, such as Black Jack 6230 Wet/Dry Plastic Roof Cement.
Is My Roof Coating Lifelong?
If you are a first-time user and your entire roof has recently benefited from roof coatings, you are wondering for how long this is going to last.
So, is your roof coating lifelong? No. your roof coating will not last forever. You will eventually need to replace your roof coating, but it will have served you for a minimum of five years with good application and maintenance.
And if you are thinking about not replacing ever, it’s not a good idea. After five years elapse, your roof coating will have deteriorated. It will no longer be able to keep in the moisture that you are blocking off.
As a result, your roof coating will look messy, and you are probably about to experience another episode of roof leaks and this time at a much faster rate.
‘My roof coating served me for less than five years.’ You probably allowed coating hours to thoroughly dry and did everything else right. So what could have gone wrong? Nobody wants a leaky roof, so here’s what could have gone wrong.
First, you may have neglected your coating, causing it to deteriorate fast. Like any other part of your house, roof coatings need regular maintenance.
Schedule for bi-annual cleaning and inspection. If you identify a problem during a roof sealant inspection, repair it immediately. Better yet, hire a professional to give you the best advice on the next move.
Second, your roof coating may have served you for lesser years if your house is located in an area with high humidity, like near an ocean. In such a case, it becomes unavoidable to replace caulking often.
Roof Selant Dry Time FAQs
Can I Use a Coating on My Flat Roofs?
Yes, you can use a coating on your flat roofs to seal existing leaks. Roof coating stops leaks on your entire flat roof. However, if you are not sure of the application, I recommend getting help from a roofing contractor.
How Do I Know If My Coating is Dry?
Generally speaking, roof coatings take about 30 minutes to feel dry to the touch after application. But, what you are looking for is a completely cured coating. I recommend giving your coating 24 hours to dry and cure. But be sure to look at the manufacturer’s instructions on how long it takes for a roof coating to dry.
How Much Will a 5-Gallon Bucket Roof Coat Cover?
If you are looking to apply two coats, a five-gallon bucket of roof coats will cover a roof surface of about 250 square feet. But, if applying one coat, then a five-gallon bucket of roof coat will cover 500 square feet.
How Long Does Roof Sealant Take To Dry?
Well, there you have it- all you need to know about roof coatings and their drying times. Your roof coatings should take a maximum of 24 hours to dry. Always ensure that the roof coat does not contact moisture, and you do not over/under-apply caulking.
I assure you that following the recommendations in this guide will give you a seamless caulking journey. But, most importantly, always look at the manufacturer’s instructions for use and handling.