Central FL Heat: How do you guys cope?

I'm relatively new to Florida (going into 3rd year) after a decade in So. Cal- I'M STILL NOT USED TO THIS HUMIDITY/HEAT! I miss being able to work in my 2-car garage! If I do attempt to  partake in some fiddling around, I can only grind out 1-2 hours at the most before I sweat out all bodily fluids and cramp up, which takes a few hours to correct.

How are you natives handling this, or are you just used to it?

 Also, I've been considering getting a warehouse space, but I can only manage a 1500 sq.ft. unit as anything more than that is out of my budget. I'm not sure if anyone else has tried sourcing warehouse space in the Orlando area but 1600 sq.ft. units are at a 2% VACANCY RATE!!!!! It's even worse in my area west of Orlando!

If I were to go with 2000 sq.ft. + unit , I could possibly offset the rent by providing storage space/race prep services, but is that even something needed in "Metropolitan" Orlando? Yes, I'm being a bit facetious, but Orlando really seems to be trying to transform from "just Disney" to a more well-rounded town. 

Thoughts?

In the summertime (March through October in FL) I try to wrench in the evenings and night or early mornings before it gets too hot. Drink lots of cold water and use strategically placed fans in your work area. There’s really no getting used to the sticky heat. You just have to hydrate and go in knowing that you will be soaked with sweat almost instantly. I’ve been here for 9 years from the Midwest. Winter is where it’s at though. 

What is the objection to putting a portable AC in the garage? No different than us Northerners running heat all winter.

Pete

In reply to 2GRX7 :

Please send some of that surplus heat up here. People are wearing parka’s to watch an early season football game as I speak and running to the concession stands to buy something warm to drink. 

And I live in the south!!!

Southern Minnesota, y’all 

Wear a hat to keep the sweat from running down your face.  Other than that...just be happy you're not busting knuckles in a cold, damp, freezing garage 6 months of the year.  I've done that and will choose the heat every time.

YETI cups w/lots of water and/or Beer.  I don't have a garage, but my covered car-park gets great airflow.  Probably better than many garages...but still hot as balls sometimes.

Been in Florida for 9 years; you don't get used to it. 

Wrench in the AM or PM, and use fan's to make the situation tolerable. 

I may upgrade to a window AC unit at some point, but keep in mind that you'll also need better lighting if the garage door is shut. 

Being a snowbird is the only actual fix =)

In reply to n8 :

I just recently picked up two large fans from Harbor Height to help out, so I'm taking your advice on that.

On the hydration front, I'm doing that at a level higher than I did as a Div-1 football player! It's sick how much water I've got to drink to cope. 

Unfortunately, I cannot get out to the garage until 10pm, at the earliest. A 7 and 9 y.o./wife are priority! LOL, I'm sure you can imagine how a truly lumpy doghouse bed could reap havoc on the body! Nah, don't want to be in there!

After the kids' sporting events on the weekends, daddy's presence is no longer required, and that's when I can sneak out and get a good 5-6hrs of work/day done on the weekends.

How well is the garage insulated? Is AC an option? With enough insulation and a mini split (or even a window unit), I'd think you could make it a much more comfortable space. Insulation would keep the heat from increasing drastically, and tha AC will not only cool the air, but extract a fair bit of moisture as well.

In reply to CrustyRedXpress and STM317:

Yeah, it's the typical, cinder block setup with no windows, claiming to be a true two-car garage attached to the house! I've gained quite a bit of tools that were all laid out/organized in my old, true two-car garage in So. Cal that now need a dedicated row of space, reducing the amount of space for fully getting a car into (BUT, the wifey LOVES the place ).

That's why I'm looking at warehouse space. I also do composite work and don't want those chemicals seeping into the house-that and metal shavings from lathe work, etc.

Start the morning with a large Gatorade. Start other fluids as you work. Get lunch at a place with free sweet tea refills. Make sure they have to make more before you leave. Go commando so that the boys can breathe. 

Stampie said:

Go commando so that the boys can breathe. 

Wasn’t there a recent thread about rolling over body parts when using a creeper?

In reply to Datsun310Guy :

Why do you think I don't use creepers?

In reply to Stampie :

Doesn't all the "sweet" in sweet tea lead to further dehydration and a stronger thirst?

For the California heat, it was room temp water, but there was no humidity to speak of out there. The room temperature prevented cramping from the temperature difference of your insides and ice water. Might not feel as good or refreshing at first, but the first time you get floored by frozen stomach cramps is an eye opener. 

HEAT HUMIDITY Man what you talking, I grew up there and have no Idea what your talking about.  But.. here in N.Georgia a Quick dip in the pool does wonders, 'specially  energy wise ,don't forget to take out your wallet .

In reply to RevRico :

A true Southerner only drinks sweet tea so I wouldn't know any other.

Cut out the sugar. Especially soda and sweet tea. 

I drink about 100 oz of water per day (intentional- not counting “normal” fluids with meals, etc). That’s on a normal day. When I was working in the heat, it was more like 2-3 gallons a day. Every day. 

Turn off the AC.  I know that sounds weird.  When I am in and out of the truck all day, I will get sick if I turn on the AC.  I leave it off during the day, and turn it on to enjoy on the drive home.  You have to let your body become acclimated to the heat.  Too much AC will make you dependent on it.

Wear cotton. 

Fans. Consider a swamp cooler.  Much better than AC. 

Funny, this time of year you usually hear that question about Minnesota people in the cold.    Like anywhere else, I imagine people in Florida don't know any different since they've lived there all their lives, or else they get used to it eventually.

SVreX said:

Cut out the sugar. Especially soda and sweet tea. 

And Gatorade, IMO. The sugar makes me sick to my stomach when I'm already overheated. I just stick to water. If it's not too much of an encumbrance, wear a hydration pack so that you can get a drink whenever without having to go pick up a bottle from somewhere. 128oz of water should be enough to get you through a typical wrenching session.

SVreX said:

Cut out the sugar. Especially soda and sweet tea. 

Fans. Consider a swamp cooler.  Much better than AC. 

Yeah, definitely could cut down on my Cokes! I don't drink it to hydrate-just for dinners

I thought the whole swamp cooler thing only really worked in desert conditions?

Eat a banana for breakfast.

At least y’all get a cool break here soonish. Here in west palm it doesn’t cool off much until January. 

Stampie said:

Get lunch at a place with free sweet tea refills.

He asked how to cope with the heat, not how to get diabeetus. Aside from the sugar being a bad idea, drinking caffeine will dehydrate you. 

Treat working in the heat like any other physical exercise when it comes to your eating and drinking habits and that will help a lot.

I just sweat a lot. I go through multiple t-shirts a day. Finding a way to set up your workspace in the shade really helps.

Edit-if you are cramping you are definitely lacking in some nutrients and fluids. This study shows vitamin C, Potassium, and Calcium losses through sweating cause measurable BP increases. 

Thanks to you all! Great advice and I shall be using quite a bit in the near future!

My next question involves warehouse space. Right now, I'm on a waiting list for several 1500-1600 sq.ft. locations, but there are several 2000 + units currently available.

Is there an interest for storage/race prep services in the Orlando area? 

I remember reading salt intake is important for sweating.