Roofing? That's tough. Pouring concrete? That's also difficult when the sun beats down. Laying bricks is so challenging that two men working in the heart of Rocky Hill called it a day at noon, before the heat kicked in.
"Tired, lazy, sweaty, unbearable," said Jeff Pavano. "Working with this doesn't help nothing."
The mortar sets faster in the heat, so the brick layers have to work faster. They even poured water on the concrete to try to slow the setting. They started work at 6 a.m. They'll be back in the morning at 5 a.m.
Just up the Silas Deane Highway inside Ace's lunch cart, Noel Greaves said he didn't know whether it was hotter inside or outside, but he did know coping required the right state of mind. He's worked in kitchens, but this was the hottest day of his three weeks making hot dogs and burgers in the cart.
"You gotta drink lots of water, stay hydrated," he said. "If you have to dip a towel in ice water and put it around your neck, just play it safe."
Landscapers also have to keep themselves as watered as the lawns and gardens.
"Drink lots of water," said Skip Braun, throttling down his lawnmower to be heard. "Just wear a hat and try to keep cool. Gotta cut the lawns. Gotta keep everybody happy."
