Tips for Keeping Your Cool during Warm Weather Work

It’s that time of year again. The days are getting longer and the temperatures are rising. Even if you don’t work outside a lot during the summer, odds are at least a small part of your daily routine involves outdoor activity. Follow these guidelines to help stay cool and healthy during the hot summer months.While much of your work may be done indoors, it doesn’t mean high temperatures and safety are never issues. Those who work in the construction, HVAC, plumbing, landscaping, and other industries need to take precautions when hot conditions during the summer months become an important workplace safety issue. Here are some ways to keep cool while it’s hot outside—or even inside.Know the SignsThere are a number of risks to working in hot environments, and it is important for every company to have written guidelines and measures in place to reduce those risks. While there is no specific Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standard for heat stress, employees are protected under the General Duty Clause of the Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Act.Here are some things to keep in mind:

• Heat can cause safety hazards. The frequency of accidents in general can be higher in hot environments than in more moderate temperatures. Sweaty palms, dizziness or the fogging of safety glasses can cause a fall or other incident. Mental confusion, tiredness and irritability can occur if someone becomes overheated, causing poor judgment and potentially unsafe actions.
• Heat can cause health hazards. Be on the lookout for health problems such as heat cramps, heat rashes and heat exhaustion.
  • Heat cramps are muscle spasms that occur while performing rigorous physical labor and may be caused by either too much or too little salt. Tired muscles are susceptible to heat cramps.
  • Heat rash can occur in hot, humid environments where sweat does not evaporate easily from the skin. The sweat ducts become clogged, resulting in a rash. The condition can be uncomfortable if it is extensive or complicated by infection. Taking frequent breaks in a cool place during the workday and bathing and drying the skin regularly can help prevent the condition.
  • Heat exhaustion is caused by the excessive loss of fluids through sweating. Be mindful for these symptoms: headache, dizziness, weakness, mood changes, nausea and vomiting, light-headedness or fainting, and pale clammy skin. Fainting may occur when an employee who is not used to the heat stands in one position for an extended period of time. Moving around may reduce the possibility of fainting.

Employees are at increased risk for heat-related injury when they are dehydrated, fatigued, lack experience with hot temperatures and high humidity, age 40 or older, in poor physical condition, use certain medications (antihistamines, diuretics and some tranquilizers), have used illegal drugs and or alcohol within the past 24 hours, or wear restrictive or too much clothing.Know the TreatmentIf someone on your team shows signs of heat exhaustion, try these steps:1.     Move them to a cool, shaded area. 2.     Provide them cool water to drink. 3.     Cool them down by fanning them or by cooling the skin with a wet cloth. 4.     Lay the afflicted worker on his or her back and raise his or her legs 6 to 8 inches if dizzy. If the victim becomes nauseated, lay him or her on their side. 5.     Loosen and remove heavy clothing. 6.     Stay with the victim and call for emergency help if he or she has not recovered after a few minutes. If heat exhaustion is not treated, the condition can deteriorate to heat stroke—the most serious heat-related problem. It occurs when the body’s temperature-regulating system malfunctions and sweating doesn’t sufficiently cool the body any longer. Signs that an employee may be suffering a heat stroke are dry pale skin (with no sweating), hot red skin, mood changes, seizures and unconsciousness.First aid for someone suffering the symptoms of heat stroke should include the same first aid for heat exhaustion, plus you should call for emergency help, lay victim on his or her back unless he or she is unconscious, remove any adjacent objects if the victim has a seizure, and place ice packs under the armpits and in the groin area.

1. Switch your Electric provider to Ambit Electricity as it is Low Cost and offers many benefits not provided by the BIG DOGS that take your money! www.YouShould2.JoinAmbit.com 2. Air Dry Beach Towels.  Using a towel for 2 minutes to pat swimming pool water off your 8-year-old’s body does not necessarily make it dirty. Think about whether a beach towel needs to be washed before you automatically dump it in the laundry, and if you do wash it, air dry the towel whenever possible. Beach towels are much thicker than regular towels and require a lot more energy to dry. Why not toss them over the porch railing to air out in the sun instead?3. Take shorter showers. Studies show that the average teenager spends a whopping 45 minutes in the shower. 45 minutes! Encourage your kids to cut down on their American Idol practice time, and remind your husband that men who shave in the shower are wasting water, too, to the tune of several gallons. Bottom line: If you’re not actively sudsing or rinsing, turn the water off.4. Unplug your TV. It’s probably not news to any of you at this point that all plugged-in electronics constantly suck energy even when they’re “turned off,” but recently, the triple threat of flat screen TVs, cable boxes, and DVR devices have officially overtaken refrigerators as the biggest energy drain in American homes. And while the fridge at least has an excuse for being plugged in all the time, the TV really does not. Plug all those devices into a power strip and turn the whole thing off when you’re not watching. If you can’t commit to a regular unplugging regimen, at the very least make sure the set is unplugged when you go on vacation for a week. (While you’re at it, unplug computer printers, coffee makers and extra phone chargers when you’re going to be gone for a few days. Don’t forget to do the same at the office—just because you’re not paying the bill doesn’t mean you should waste the power.)

5. Remember what I said about the refrigerator and the energy suck? The good news is, every year refrigerators are getting more energy efficient, and it’s almost hard NOT to buy one with an Energy Star rating these days. The downside is that many people, upon upgrading to a better refrigerator, just move the old one to the garage and keep using it. But consider this: “There’s a reason you replaced the old one—it was too small, it didn’t work well, it was inefficient—so why would you keep it around?” Keane says. Think long and hard about what exactly you so desperately need to keep in deep-freeze storage. Extra ice for parties? Buy an ice chest. That 40 pounds of moose meat you ordered online from your meat-of-the-month club? I have no advice for you, other than reevaluate what’s in your main freezer and check out Energy Star’s Recycle My Old Fridge Campaign web site for information on responsible old-fridge disposal.

6. Really turn off your home computer. 75% of the energy used by home computers is used when the owner thinks the computer is turned off. “Sleep” does not equal off: Learn it, love it, live it.

7. Weather-strip your doors. “It’s just as important in the summer as in the winter,” Keane says. If you want to keep your air conditioning inside the house, make sure that your home’s doors have the proper seals. (Bonus: weather stripping is incredibly cheap—we’re talking $1.50 a roll—and as easy to apply as a piece of tape.) And of course, make sure all your windows are closed when the air conditioner’s running. What are you trying to do, cool the whole neighborhood?

 8. Get your water heater checked. Schedule an appointment with your plumber (or ask him to stick around the next time he comes to fix something else) and have him check the settings on your water heater. Although many water heaters are set at 140 degrees Fahrenheit, most homes only need 120 degrees for appliances to function properly. The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that lowering your water temperature by ten degrees will save you 3 to 5% in energy costs (not to mention lower your risk of scalding).

All Roofs Not Created Equal

The longevity of a roofing material is somewhat dependent on the climate, so estimates of lifespan are approximate and also depend on whether the material is properly installed.
Here are six commonly used roofing materials that you should be able to identify and discuss with clients.

• Slate roofs: Pretty and pricey. This is one of the best, most beautiful, and architecturally significant roofing materials. It’s a beautiful blue-grey stone that lasts anywhere from 70 to 100 years or more. Slate is very expensive and the prospect of having to replace a slate roof will surely be something a buyer will want to keep in mind when negotiating a price for the property. But since these roofs are known for their longevity, they’re often worth the investment because a roofing material with a shorter lifespan will have to be replaced many times (at increasing prices) in the period that a slate roof will hold up. Not to mention, it’s also environmentally friendlier to use materials that last a long time. Artificial slate is also available, but it typically doesn’t have as long of a life span as real slate. However, it still lasts for a few decades or more. Slate is heavy, so a building must be constructed to support the weight.

• Metal roofs: Gaining popularity. These come in a variety of forms, from corrugated metal with ridges to a roof that looks like it is made of shingles. Metal roofs are often chosen in green design because they last a relatively long time (a couple of decades or more) and can be made with recycled materials. Also, metal reflects heat, which can cut down on energy costs in hot climates. However, this roofing material is expensive – and rain or hail can be very noisy.

• Wood shakes or shingles: Natural look. These roofs are usually made with cedar and can last up to 30 or 40 years, depending on the climate. The difference between a shake and a shingle is that shakes are split from a block of wood whereas shingles are sawn from a block of wood. Typically a shake is thicker and more rustic looking than a shingle. In shingle style architecture, wood shingles (or shakes) used as the siding and roof material on a house have a great natural look that weathers well over time.

• Clay tile: Long life span. You can often see these roofs in Mission, Spanish Colonial, and Mediterranean styles of architecture especially in conjunction with stucco siding. Places like California and Florida would be prime places to spot such a roof. The tiles are made with clay or concrete, are fire resistant, and typically last a relatively long time — a few decades or more. The tile is heavy, so that a house must be built to hold up the weight. It’s possible to find salvaged tile roofs, which would be a very environmentally friendly way to re-roof.

• Asphalt shingles: Functional, affordable. This is perhaps the most ubiquitous and least expensive roofing material. These roofs come in a variety of colors and shades, from black to greenish to reddish hues. They don’t have the architectural substance of other roofing materials, but they are also perfectly functional and widely used. They typically last about 15 to 20 years, a shorter time than other materials mentioned above.

• Vegetated roofs: Green design. Also known as green roofs, vegetated roofs are a staple in green design. Grasses and plants, such as wild strawberries, grow on the roof over a water-tight layer. The soil and plants help to keep the roof cool (which reduces energy costs), help to mitigate water run-off from rain, and generally make the house blend in with its surroundings. This is a new take on a very old idea, seen on buildings for many centuries. The building needs to be able to sustain the weight, and the pitch of the roof has to accommodate the plants.

Talking About the Roof

When discussing any roofing material, you should ask an expert how long a particular product will last in a specific climate. For example, if a slate roof needs to be replaced and the cost is prohibitive, a contractor can advise about switching to another material. This is information that is good to have on hand whether you’re working for a buyer or a seller.

Preservationists, however, will often argue that the original roof material in an older building should be kept.

A licensed home inspector or an engineer should attest to the condition of the roof during a routine inspection. This will give the buyer an idea of how soon the roof will need to be replaced.

Bottom line: By educating yourself about the different types of roofs and potential roof problems, you’ll be able to help your buyers foresee any problems and help buyers know the house from top to bottom.

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Water Wisely

Did you know that up to half of the water an average household consumes is used to maintain lawns and landscapes? With record droughts in many parts of the country it just makes sense to conserve water. But that doesn’t mean sacrificing a beautiful yard! By incorporating water-wise features and plants into your landscape you’ll not only help the environment, you’ll also save time and money.

Create a water-wise yard
Xeriscaping is a type of landscaping that uses techniques and plants that require minimal or no supplemental watering. Gardeners in desert regions are most familiar with this concept, but the principles can be applied to all landscapes.

Xeriscaping involves using plants native to your area and the efficient application of water-drip irrigation where possible. When water restrictions are implemented, these plants will tend to survive, while more traditional plants may not. Some common plants used in xeriscaping are agave, cactus, juniper and thyme.

Here are some more tips that can help reduce the amount of water you need to maintain your yard by up to 60%!

* Try to group plants with similar water requirements. Plant water-hungry basil, bee balm and lobelia in one garden, and water-thrifty rosemary and lavender in another. That way you can still grow all the plants you love and conserve water where it’s not needed.

* Water only when necessary. Check soil moisture before watering, rather than watering on a set schedule. Get to know the different moisture requirements of different plants.

* Water deeply, but infrequently. A thorough soaking once a week or every 10 days encourages deep, drought-tolerant root systems. This is especially true for lawns.

* Conserve water by using soaker hoses to apply water directly to the root zone. Apply water slowly, so it has time to sink in rather than run off. If you use sprinklers, take time to adjust them so you aren’t watering the driveway or road.

* Configure your landscape to capture storm runoff and direct it to plants. Use rain barrels to capture roof runoff for use in gardens.

* Reduce the amount of lawn in your yard, since common lawn grass species require regular watering. Consider replacing some sections of lawn with attractive, drought-tolerant ground covers.

Drought-tolerant plants
There are many perennials that are relatively tolerant of dry soils. Once established, these plants will need little or no extra water except under the driest conditions. Note, however, that all plants need supplemental water for the first growing season, until their roots are established.

Many drought-tolerant plants have the added benefit of needing less routine care than other landscape plants. The plants below are adaptable to a wide range of growing conditions, but double check to see that they are hardy in your region before planting.

* Agastache
* Armeria
* Catmint
* Coneflower
* Coreopsis
* Dianthus
* Gaillardia
* Gaura
* Lamb’s ears
* Lavender
* Ornamental grasses
* Penstemon
* Rudbeckia
* Russian sage
* Salvia
* Sedum
* Yarrow

Unclog your toilet

If your toilet is not overflowing but not flushing properly, try plunging first. There is no need to turn off the water if the water isn’t rising close to the rim.

1. Get a bucket filled with water and have it at the ready.

2. Plunge vigorously fifteen to twenty times.

3. Pour water from bucket into the bowl until bowl clears or until you’re in danger of overflowing the toilet.

4. Repeat plunging 2-3 more times, if necessary.

How to Maintain and Prevent Problems With Your Dishwasher

A dishwasher will run well for along time if maintained properly. Commom problems encountered with inefficient dishwashers are caused by small problmes that can be prevented.

If you’re going away for a couple of weeks, pour a few tablespoons of rubbing alcohol in the bottom of your machine. This will help prevent the seals from drying while it is not in use.

How to Maintain and Prevent Problems with your Refrigerator

Refrigerator coils are located in the rear or the refrigerator. You can simply vacuum the vents and coils to clean them. Dusty coils have to work harder to cool down the interior and contents of the refrigerator.

Consider the location of your refrigerator and/or freezer. Do not position them in direct contact with hot appliances as this will make the compressor work harder.