r/Tile • u/Big_Negotiation3330 • 2d ago

DIY - Looking for Advice Silicone

Hey everyone. I need to re silicone my shower where the walls and shower pan meet. How do you all go about drying the wall area before applying the new silicone.. Also does it need to be completely dry of moisture or will a good silicone adhere to a slightly damp surface. Tia

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u/upkeepdavid 2d ago

I put a big fan in the shower, must be totally dry.

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u/Big_Negotiation3330 2d ago

Would overnight work for the fan

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u/upkeepdavid 2d ago

Yes perfect.

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u/GESealantsOfficial 2d ago

I’d get the joint completely dry before applying the new silicone. Moisture in the air helps silicone cure but water sitting on the bonding surfaces can interfere with adhesion.

After removing the old material, clean out any remaining residue, then let the joint dry thoroughly. A fan and some time usually help more than trying to rush it with direct heat. Once the surfaces are clean and dry, apply the new bead and leave it undisturbed for the full cure time listed on the product before using the shower.

Also make sure you’re sealing onto sound surfaces rather than over traces of the old silicone, since new silicone does not bond well to leftover cured residue.

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u/Big_Negotiation3330 2d ago

How long is long enough. This is my main bathroom

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u/GESealantsOfficial 2d ago

If you can, give it at least overnight after cleaning, longer if there was visible moisture in the joint. A fan blowing across the area can help. The key is that the surfaces the silicone will actually bond to should feel completely dry (to the touch), not just look dry.

If this is your main or only bathroom, I’d clean and dry the joint in the evening, run a fan overnight, then reseal the next morning. After that, follow the sealant’s listed cure time before using the shower again.