Sealant is a key part of any do-it-yourself effort to fix cracks or gaps in your home. Such leaks have been in the spotlight since the world woke up to how much energy -- thus, money -- the average household loses because of heat escaping through these holes. A good sealant product should be able to fill these gaps, cure and dry in a reasonably short space of time -- but there are a few steps one can take to expedite the process a little.
Step 1
Scrape off any excess sealant with a putty knife to aid the drying process. If a layer is too thick, it will take longer to dry, so scraping off any additional sealant will allow the air to get to the sealant and cut the drying time.
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Step 2
Allow ample air into the room. There is a misconception that the hotter a room is, the quicker something will dry. However, this is not necessarily the case because humidity will curb the curing and drying process. You want the area to be a normal room temperature with plenty of ventilation.
Step 3
Ensure the sealant remains dry. This is particularly pertinent if you are sealing a crack or hole in a bathroom, as this will severely affect the drying time.
Step 4
Purchase a sealant that is advertised as "Quick Drying" if you are concerned about drying times. You will find most brands have a quick-drying version of their product as well as the regular version.
Tip
Do not use a hair dryer or any other type of accelerated drying process. This could case the sealant to crack and not do the job properly.
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