Pro Handyman Blog

Being a Las Vegas handyman requires one to work in pretty extreme conditions. In the wintertime when it can hover near freezing, you can always add layers of clothing and drink something warm. But it’s the summer heat of the desert that really makes me suffer. The following are things I do to make sure I make it safely through the day.

If I know I will be working outside for extended periods of time, bring the right clothing. In addition to sunscreen, wear a wide brimmed hat and sunglasses, and wear loose fitting light colors…even a long sleeved shirt. There is a reason you see so many landscapers working with long-sleeved shirts on; they keep the sun off of your skin and still allow you to sweat which will evaporate and keep your skin cool. You can also keep a wet rag around your neck to help cool you.

Take advantage of ANY shade you can find. For example, if you are prepping a new sprinkler valve for installation, do it under a shade tree rather than leaning over the sprinkler box directly in the sun.

Finally, and most importantly, you must hydrate. Drink plenty of water frequently. If you sip water throughout the day and maybe have a regular snack for energy, your body will function better. If you get to the point where you feel thirsty, you are already in trouble.

I learned a valuable trick when installing a sprinkler system in 110-degree heat many years ago. Fill a one gallon jug of water about 2/3rds full and put it in the freezer overnight. As the water freezes and expands it will fill most of the bottle. When you head out into the heat the next day, remove the nearly full jug and add water to fill it up. As you work throughout the day, the ice will slowly melt leaving cold water for the majority of the day. It sure beats drinking warm water.