I'm currently re-caulking my shower base, which is about 20 square feet, and I've taped off the perimeter. I'm puzzled about when I should remove the tape. I've read that it's best to take it off right after smoothing the caulk, but I might take a little longer to finish the whole section. How much wait time do I actually have before the caulk sets? Should I consider caulking in smaller sections and pulling the tape off as I go?
2 Answers
You can remove the tape once you've finished your area, but just make sure the caulk isn't fully set yet. Check the instructions on your caulk tube to see the drying time. If you're concerned about timing, you can always pull up the tape bit by bit as you work on each side.
Once you're done caulking, you should pull the tape right away. But since it's for a shower, be cautious! If you pull on those edges too much, it could lead to water getting trapped behind the caulk, which is not good. Make sure to smooth out the caulk either with a tool or your finger to keep the edges sealed. Also, tape isn't usually the best option for caulking, especially in wet areas. For showers, you want to use silicone-based caulk, or else it might need replacing within a year!
I'm using GE Advanced 100% silicone caulk, so I'm thinking it's fine, but should I skip the tape entirely?
Yeah, you might want to consider that! Silicone is great, but applying it without tape could give you a better seal.