http://www.bastcorp.com/blog/rss/feedsTampa Bay’s premier quality Wood Flooring & Staircase Installation. We specialize in Wood & Natural Stone Flooring Installation, Wood Floor Refinishing, & Building Custom Staircase. Serving Tampa Bay for 30 years.Sun, 03 May 2026 04:36:27 -0700http://www.bastcorp.com/blog/post/hardwood-floor-health-5-things-to-look-forhttp://www.bastcorp.com/blog/post/hardwood-floor-health-5-things-to-look-forHardwood flooring can be a great investment that will last a lifetime in your home. Keeping them beautiful requires care and maintenance every now and then. Eventually, your home's hardwood floors will need to be sanded and refinished.Sometimes it’s difficult to determine when it need to be done. There are signs you can look for to know when your hardwood floors are in need of some care. Lots Of Scratches A large number of scratches on your hardwood floors is one of the more obvious signs that your floors need refinishing, especially if those scratches have worn through the stain on your wood. While a few scratches are normal, having a floor that is covered in unsightly scratches is not ideal. Most scratches are going to be topical and will come out with a simple sanding, but larger gouges or splits might require you to replace entire boards. Boards Turning Gray If you notice any boards on your hardwood flooring turning gray, it is definitely time to have them refinished before more damage is done to your hardwood floors. When your wooden floors are turning gray, it is a sign that the polyurethane is wearing off. When this happens, it means your hardwood floors are starting to absorbing water, whether it is from rain, spilled drinks, or even just from your pet's paws. If you don't have your floors repaired and refinished quickly, it will keep absorbing moisture until it turns black, at which point the only option you will have left is total replacement. Some Boards Have Already Turned Black If you already have some boards on your floor that have turned black, it is too late for them. Your choices when it comes to those boards are now whether you want to go with a darker stain on the rest of your floor to make them blend, or to completely replace those particular boards. The latter option will cost a little more, but will help keep your floor healthier overall. Water Damage If your wood flooring has sustained water damage, you are usually going to see separation or cupping of some of the boards, as well as dark areas. If your boards are just cupping a bit, this can normally be sorted out with some sanding, but if you have major separation or entire boards that have turned black, then you are more than likely going to have to replace entire boards or sections. Fading Color If you start to notice that your hardwood floors have begun fading from too much UV ray exposure, it might be time to look at having them refinished. Refinishing them and applying a new stain will actually help to renew their protection against the sunlight and keep your colors vibrant at the same time. When you are ready to have Bast Floors and Staircases replace or repair your hardwood flooring the please give us a call at 813-884-5793.Fri, 25 Sep 2020 07:39:00 -0700http://www.bastcorp.com/blog/post/covid19-our-survivor-storyhttp://www.bastcorp.com/blog/post/covid19-our-survivor-storyEveryone hears the sad Coronavirus stories, but we have a SURVIVOR story for you…one from our very own FAMILY! This is Marilyn Newton, and she's a survivor! Marilyn lives in Louisville, KY and at Bast Floors & Staircases she is a mother, sister, aunt, and friend. Marilyn is 61 years old and began showing symptoms of the Coronavirus in early April. By April 20th she was formally diagnosed with COVID-19 and admitted to Baptist East Hospital. Our family was devastated. We contacted doctors about administering the drug Remdesivir, but were told that they had none of this drug available for Marilyn. Remdesivir was only given to children or pregnant women who had COVID-19. Our family would have to fight for it. So we fought. Our entire family began a crusade for the drug to be made available to ALL COVID-19 patients, not just a select few. Phone calls were made, social media was employed and prayers from around the country went up for our Marilyn. On May 15th, Remdesivir was made available to Marilyn and doctors began her treatments. It has been a wicked fight, but Marilyn Newton is a fighter. She's been lifted up in prayers from our entire family along wtih friends she doesn’t even know she has. Because of these and the amazing team of doctors and nurses giving the proper medication, our dear Marilyn’s prognosis improved every day. After 60 days in the hospital and over 40 days on a ventilator, she improved so much that she didn't require intensive critical care monitoring. Doctors wrote the order on June 9th for her to be transferred out of the CCU to a step down unit. And now she's left the hospital for rehab. She is one step closer to coming home and we can’t wait until she is able to visit us in Florida again.Fri, 19 Jun 2020 08:50:00 -0700http://www.bastcorp.com/blog/post/fall-in-love-with-your-floorshttp://www.bastcorp.com/blog/post/fall-in-love-with-your-floorsValentine’s Day is the time we’re busy celebrating love. Each of us express love for our spouses, partners, fur babies, even our friends, but at Bast Floors, we take the opportunity to express our love for something beautiful, timeless, and reliable: hardwood floors. (We are a flooring company, what did you expect?) If you’ve watched House Hunters, you know hardwood floors are something many people desire in their home, and who can blame them? They add elegance and warmth to any home. However, time and wear can eventually take their toll, especially in highly trafficked areas like homes blessed with kids and pets. Luckily, a little topcoat and TLC can bring your dated, dull, or damaged floors back to life. Are you ready to fall back in love with your floors? We are here to play matchmaker, helping you find the perfect finish for you. Here are the most popular, protective finishes. Water-Based Polyurethane If you need a finish that will dry quickly, this is a great choice. In fact, you’ll be walking on your floors a few hours after we are complete. It’s easy to apply and resists yellowing over time. Because it is made with synthetic resins and plasticizers, it is very durable and resists moisture pretty well, perfect for wine spills from you, and milk spills from the kids. Plus, when it comes to cleaning, all you will need is a broom and a damp mop. However, one thing to note, it does tend to magnify scratches when they occur. Oil-based Polyurethane If you have a lot of traffic in your home and aren’t looking to spend a ton of money, this is a great finish. It’s durable and easy to maintain, making it a popular finish in businesses and busy households. Its hardwearing characteristics mean you don’t have to refinish as frequently, and cleaning is a breeze. Simply sweep regularly and clean dirt with a damp mop. Something to note, it yellows over time and takes a while to dry (8-10 hours between each coat). Wax If you love the look of a low-sheen finish, wax is a great choice. It’s easy to apply and touch up, can easily penetrate wood, and combines well with stain. It can be a quick process, similar to cleaning carpets and your floors will look gorgeous. Something to note, exposure to water can create white marks, so wax isn’t the best floor finish for bathrooms or kitchens. Penetrating Oil Sealer If you absolutely ADORE the grains in your wood, this finish with help highlight that. This finish is a great way to bring out the beauty of any wood without adding high shine or gloss. This is a favorite for homeowners restoring old or historic homes. While the sealer will give wood a natural and lovely appearance, it’s not the best for high traffic are doesn’t hold up well to foot traffic. Therefore, be prepared to re-oil your floors every three to five years. Another thing to note, water and chemicals can spot or damage oil-sealed floors. Aluminum Oxide The hardest, most long-lasting type of finish is aluminum oxide. This finish can last up to 25 years! Plus, it protects the floor from fading, water damage, scuffs, and general wear and tear without changing the color of the wood or hiding its grain. This finish is low maintenance and available in several levels of glossiness. The downside is that it’s not available for application on site, it must be factory applied. BUT we have several flooring options available with Aluminum Oxide finish and can install those in your home (new flooring and no DIY? A win-win!) If any of these contenders peaked your interest, call us today! We are happy to answer any questions you have about flooring.Thu, 13 Feb 2020 17:54:00 -0700http://www.bastcorp.com/blog/post/3-reasons-for-updated-flooring-resolutions-in-2020http://www.bastcorp.com/blog/post/3-reasons-for-updated-flooring-resolutions-in-2020Your flooring sets the stage - or more precisely, it is the stage - for the atmosphere in your home. Whether you are considering putting your home on the market or simply want to renew your existing living space, updated flooring can make a huge difference in your home’s atmosphere. If looking and feeling better are a part of your New Year’s Resolutions, consider the part your flooring plays. Updated Flooring Increases Home Values and Makes Great First Impressions If you think you might want to put your home on the market, new flooring will make a big impact towards increasing the value of your home. Because your flooring shows wear after years of use, upgrades makes your home look well taken care. Hardwood floors are popular because of their beauty, durability and longevity. They rejuvenate your living spaces and provide the foundation for the ‘wow’ factor. Plus, the average wood floor lasts ten years before it needs professional cleaning or refinishing. Once refinished, it will last another ten years on average. Solid hardwood floors can be refinished many times. What’s more, the color and finish can be changed to keep your home beautiful and up to date. Updated Flooring Means Better Health for you and Your Family If you have carpet, you already know it has several disadvantages. One of the most problematic is how easily it becomes a magnet for allergens like dust mites, pet dander and mold spores. All of these can irritate your immune system. Once these allergens get trapped in carpet fibers and the carpet pad, they are difficult to get rid of completely. Allergies can be triggered by the carpet, which can contain 100 times more allergens than hard floors. Families with small children should pay particular attention to these allergens. Children's immune systems are more sensitive to foreign substances like the ones found in carpet, and they spend a lot of their time closer to the ground. And because 10 square feet of carpet can average 2 ounces of dust, your crawling child might be extra susceptible. Installing hardwood floors in your home reduces allergens and helps with the overall health of your entire family. Updated Flooring Gives Your Home New Style and Energy Let’s face it. Sometimes we just simply want updated flooring because it looks better. Having a fresh new look gives your home a new atmosphere that will make you feel better. After all, you live there. It’s worth it to choose surroundings that make you happy and comfortable. Our customers come to us because of our quality. It’s not just in our products, but also in our service and our people. We stand behind every project with integrity and our quality stands the test of time. If you are considering updating the flooring in your home, contact Bast Floors and Staircases at 813-884-5793 or visit us online at www.bastcorp.com. We produce works of art that are specifically designed to fill your unique space, and we stand behind the products we represent. Sun, 12 Jan 2020 14:45:00 -0700