When it's 90 degrees in the shade, working outside can be a challenge.
Street pavers do most of their work in the sun and have to be careful not to lose momentum during their breaks, said Jarvis Tate.
"Once you stop, and you gotta get back into it again, it's even worse," Tate said, waiting for the asphalt to cool along Jerome Avenue in Bloomfield.
Fellow workers agreed that the heat was stifling.
Commercial painters also have to be careful while working in the heat. If they're not fast enough, the paint will dry too quickly in the beating sun.
"Work on the shady side, don't be in the sun," said Jeff Parker of Coventry, "You don't really stay cool. You keep working."
Bloomfield homeowner Chris Macey was appreciative of the crew that came out to work on his house today. They didn't seem to let the heat affect them, and Macey called them brave.
"They're working hard, and I've seen 'em sweat. One of 'em took off his shirt and wrung out the sweat," said Chris Macey.
Despite scorching temperatures, Macey said the heat is still not as bad as what he's used to, so after 12 years of living in Florida, he's happy to be back.