Attendance at ballgames and pool parties increase people will try to find ways to cool off. One popular trend, adopted by many open-air shopping malls, restaurants and bars with a patio, is misting systems. But before you go out and invest in one, let’s cover some of the pros and cons.

How Misters Cool You Down
When water molecules evaporate into the air, the water changes from a liquid to a gas state. A certain amount of energy or heat is needed to assist this process of changing water from a liquid to a gas, which is automatically drawn from the surrounding air – thus, lowering the ambient temperature around the misted area.

In other words, it’s a lot like what happens when your body sweats. You sweat, the sweat evaporates, and your body temperature lowers. Got it?

The Pros

They Work
Misting systems are a very effective way to cool off. Whether you’re enjoying a cold beverage or hanging out on the patio, chances are you’ve already experienced how they really do cool you off during a hot, summer day.

Multiple Benefits
While misting systems give you the opportunity to stay cool, they can also be used for other benefits. For example, watering plants. Not only can you stay cool, but also so can your azaleas.

Efficient
They may seem like they use a lot of water, but misting systems are actually quite efficient. And with new innovations and developments every year, this will continue to evolve.

The Cons

Regular maintenance needed
Due to temperature changes, leaks, low water pressure, and other potential problems, regular upkeep and maintenance are required. Regular maintenance is also recommended to prevent any adverse effects to your home or yard.

Price
This shouldn’t be a surprise. Because of regular maintenance and the initial cost, outdoor misting systems can get pricey. While outdoor misting systems are going to use less water and energy than your air-conditioning, it’s still more water than you’re currently using.

Misting systems also come in a variety of set-ups and types. Make sure to do some research to make sure you’re getting the right one for your home.

Have some more misting questions? No problem, just call your local Lexington Dauenhauer, any hour.

Houses are constantly moving in tiny increments as a result of foundation settling, humidity, temperature, and other factors. If the grout in a bathroom is an inflexible material, as most grout is, cracks can develop when a bathtub moves one way while a tile wall moves another way.

So, either you can think about how good your grout looked before it cracked, or you can get to work.

Good choice. Let’s fix that grout.

Patch It Up
In most cases, you should only be dealing with a few cracks in isolated spots – which means you’ll be able to handle things yourself.

Step 1 – Let’s completely remove the old grout from the affected area. Considering the grout is cracked, it might even be crumbling, which will make this part of the process relatively easy. Once you’ve removed the damaged grout, vacuum the crack thoroughly to capture any dust left behind.

Next, it’s time to choose a replacement that is less likely to crack. We recommend silicone caulk for a variety of reasons. Primarily, it’s flexible. If your cracks are caused by shifting surfaces, a line of caulk may survive where grout failed. Silicone caulk also dries quickly compared to other grout mixtures. Make sure to choose a color to match your bathroom grout that is already present. And most importantly, check to see that it can be used in wet environments and is mildew resistant.

That’s it. That wasn’t too hard, now was it?

Although, if your grout is cracking all over, you may have a larger issue at hand. It never hurts to call a professional like Dauenhauer just to take a look before you try fixing things yourself.

Have any other questions about fixing cracked grout? We have an easy answer. Call your local Lexington Dauenhauer, any hour.