b'HOT TOPICSopentime,whichleadstowasteproductsbutwithmybody,he inthemixingbucket.Healsosaid.Ieatbananasandpickles recommendedcleaningsmalleranddrinklotsofpicklejuice[to areas of grouted tile, thus remov- stave off] potential cramps. Staying ing excess grout before it dries andhydrated is a challenge and I bring hardens due to heat. a case of water a day for my guys. LowerysaidworkersshouldId say the greatest challenge is to research the technical data of themakesureeveryoneknowsthe grout they use for acceptable instal- signs of dehydration, heat exhaus-lationconditions.Mostgroutstion and heat stroke. Its important have a substrate temperature rangeforustobecarefulandlistento requirement,heexplained.Useour bodies.an infrared thermometer to ensureSeveral years ago, Jung recalled, substrate temperature is within thehis company had a large project, limits. Another tip is to store groutinstalling tile on the exterior of a inacoolarea.Storebagsinanfederal building in Laredo, Texas, a area that is 70 to 80 degrees, 24much drier location than Victoria, hourspriortoinstallation.Also,the firms home base near the Gulf grout during cooler times, such asofMexico.Itwassummerand the mornings or evenings. we would start work at sun up and ShawnStonecipher,principal,install tile on the west side of the CreationIn Tile&Stone,Boerne,buildinguntilnoon.Afterlunch, Texas, also recognizes that hydra- wewouldthenmovetotheeast tioniscriticallyimportantwhensideofthebuildingjustsoour on a hot jobsite. My greatest hotsubstrate would not be burning up weatherproblemisnotwithtilefromtheheatofthesun.Shade iskeyifyouhaveany whenworkingonan exteriorenvironment duringthehottesttime of the year.Always remember to stopanddrinkwater whether you feel thirsty ornot,Jungconclud-ed.Ifyouwaituntil yourethirsty,youwill nevercatchup.Soif Keeping his crew hydrated during hot weather projectsyou have to work in the is the biggest problem for Creation In Tile & Stonesheat,takebreaksand Stonecipher.stay hydrated.82TileLetter | June 2020'