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Step-by-Step: How to Restore Worn Grout with Grout Shield (Without Ripping Out Tile)

Step-by-Step: How to Restore Worn Grout with Grout Shield (Without Ripping Out Tile)

Tired of dingy, stained grout?

We wanted to give you the low down on exactly how to restore worn grout with Grout Shield. Clean thoroughly, repair gaps, apply color sealer, wipe excess, and let it cure. The system bonds to sanded or unsanded grout on ceramic, porcelain, and most stone, delivering a uniform color and a protective seal, without regrouting or replacing tile.

The fastest way to make grout look new again If your grout reads more “grey-brown mystery” than “clean ivory,” you don’t need a demo crew. Grout Shield’s color sealer cleans up the look and seals in one pass, creating a consistent, stain-resistant finish. Think of it like putting a protective jacket on each grout line, color-corrected, sealed, and far easier to maintain.

Quick takeaways:

  • Works on most sanded/unsanded grout around ceramic and porcelain; test on natural stone.
  • Ideal for kitchens, baths, lobbies, restaurants – anywhere foot traffic or spills beat up grout.
  • You can refresh the original shade or change colors entirely without regrouting.

Gear up: what you’ll need (and what you won’t)

You don’t need fancy tools. You do need a clean surface and good light.

  • Grout Shield Color Sealer and Cleaner (or the Restoration Kit)
  • Soft scrub brush, microfiber cloths, small detailing brush or foam applicator
  • Painter’s tape (optional), small mixing tray, nitrile gloves
  • Grout repair powder/caulk for missing or cracked spots
  • Ventilation, patience, and a test area

Skip: harsh acids, steel wool, or anything that can etch tile or force sealer under the glaze. You’re building a protective finish, not stripping one. read more

Universal: Epic Universe theme park leads Thea Awards list

Universal: Epic Universe theme park leads Thea Awards list

Epic Universe, Central Florida’s newest theme park and the latest expansion of Universal Orlando Resort, has captured four Thea Awards, the worldwide honors given by the Themed Entertainment Association.

Epic Universe, which opened to the public in May, was saluted for outstanding achievement in the Thea Awards theme-park category. Its How to Train Your Dragon — Isle of Berk area won in the theme park land category.  Epic’s Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment, a dark ride, was recognized in the attraction category and its immersive Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry was celebrated as an outstanding ride experience.

In addition, Dale Mason, retired vice president and executive art director at Universal Destinations & Experiences, received the Buzz Prize Award, which TEA recognizes for “a lifetime of distinguished achievements.”

Winners were announced at a TEA gathering held at Epic Universe on Tuesday evening.

The queue for Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry takes guests inside the Ministry of Magic at Universal Epic Universe on April 5, 2025. Orlando's first new theme park in a generation is set to open to the public on May 22. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)
The Thea Award recognized the ride experience of Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry ride at Epic Universe. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)

“The Thea Awards represent industry excellence, and this year’s winners and their collective work delight millions of guests around the world while pushing the boundaries of presentation, creativity and innovation,” Matt Barton, international board president of TEA and CEO of CurtainUp Ltd., said in a news release. read more

Energy Department loans $1B to help finance the restart of nuclear reactor on Three Mile Island

Energy Department loans $1B to help finance the restart of nuclear reactor on Three Mile Island

By MARC LEVY

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — The U.S. Department of Energy said Tuesday that it will loan $1 billion to help finance the restart of the nuclear power plant on Pennsylvania’s Three Mile Island that is under contract to supply power to data centers for tech giant Microsoft.

The loan is in line with the priorities of President Donald Trump’s administration, including bolstering nuclear power and artificial intelligence.

For Constellation Energy, which owns Three Mile Island’s lone functioning nuclear power reactor, the federal loan will lower its financing cost to get the mothballed plant up and running again. The 835-megawatt reactor can power the equivalent of approximately 800,000 homes, the Department of Energy said.

The reactor had been out of operation for five years when Constellation Energy announced last year that it would spend $1.6 billion to restart it under a 20-year agreement with Microsoft to buy the power for its data centers.

Constellation Energy renamed the functioning unit the Crane Clean Energy Center as it works to restore equipment including the turbine, generator, main power transformer and cooling and control systems. It hopes to bring the plant back online in 2027. read more

Federal Reserve releases new guidance for bank oversight in move praised by industry

Federal Reserve releases new guidance for bank oversight in move praised by industry

By CHRISTOPHER RUGABER and KEN SWEET

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Federal Reserve’s top banking regulator on Tuesday released new guidelines for the agency’s supervision of the financial system, earning praise from industry trade groups and criticism from her predecessor.

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In a set of sweeping changes, the principles call for bank examiners to focus on material financial risks and to “not become distracted from this priority by devoting excessive attention to processes, procedures, and documentation.” The guidelines are set out in a memo originally distributed to Fed employees Oct. 29 but released Tuesday. read more

Sharp disagreements over economy threaten Federal Reserve interest rate cut

Sharp disagreements over economy threaten Federal Reserve interest rate cut

By CHRISTOPHER RUGABER, Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — What was once seen as a near-certain cut in interest rates next month now looks more like a coin flip as Federal Reserve officials sharply disagree over the economy’s health and whether stubborn inflation or weak hiring represent a bigger threat.

In several speeches in the past week, some policymakers have registered greater concern over persistent inflation in an echo of the “affordability” concerns that played a large role in elections earlier this month.

At the same time, another camp is much more concerned about meager hiring and the threat that the “low-hire, low-fire“ job market could worsen into one where layoffs become more widespread.

The turmoil on the Fed’s 19-member interest-rate setting committee reflects a deeply uncertain economic outlook brought about by multiple factors, including tariffs, artificial intelligence, and changes in immigration and tax policies.

“It’s reflective of a ton of uncertainty,” said Luke Tilley, chief economist at M&T Bank. “It’s not surprising at all that there’s a wide divergence of opinions.” read more