Ceramic tile is usually worth the
sweat equity to bring it back to life.

If you're in the midst of remodeling your home, chances are you've discovered a surprise or two. Surprises aren't always good, but some can be downright wonderful -- such as peeling the carpet from your bathroom floor and finding ceramic tile underneath.

Tile that has been sitting underneath carpet or another flooring material will probably need some work before it can be displayed in all its glory. Most unveiled ceramic tile can be cleaned and restored, with the notable exception of tile that is severely cracked and broken. In that case, you're better off buying new tile and starting over.

But if your ceramic tile includes only a few chips, broken corners, or worn-off glazing, here are some ideas to help it look new again.

• Once you've removed the carpet or flooring that is glued to the tile, you need to get rid of the glue. Don't use chemical solvents or strippers; opt for dry ice or a heat gun instead. Dry ice can be purchased from a local ice manufacturer. Be sure to wear gloves; dry ice can badly burn skin. Hold the dry ice on the old glue for a minute or two, then move the substance slowly in a straight line. As you move the ice, follow behind it with a stiff-bladed plastic putty knife. The dry ice will freeze the glue, and the putty knife will pop it right off. A heat gun, available at your local crafts or hardware store, will soften the glue without melting it so it can be removed with a putty knife.
• If you find painted tile, strip the paint from it with a homemade paste. Combine TSP (trisodium phosphate), powdered calcium carbonate (sometimes called whiting), and water. TSP and calcium carbonate are available at most paint stores or pharmacies. Mix 1 part TSP with 2 parts calcium carbonate, and add water until the mixture reaches the consistency of thick paste. Using a putty knife, apply the paste to the tile, about 3/8 inches thick. Let the paste sit on the tile about 30 minutes for best results. Then scrape off the residue with a plastic putty knife, which won't scratch the glazed tile. Rinse the tile immediately and thoroughly with warm water. For this procedure, wear gloves, use eye protection, and make sure ventilation is adequate.
• Paint small chips in tile with appliance touch-up paints or an oil enamel paint with a gloss similar to that of your tile. If a corner of a tile is broken off, shape two-part epoxy putty to fit. This can be sanded lightly when dry, then painted.
• If the tile's glazing is cracked, a clear water-base finish called water clear can be brushed over its surface. This seals the surface and, in many cases, blends out the cracking. Don't get the finish on the tile's grout, which needs to "breathe" to contract and expand.
• If grout between the tiles is cracked or broken, repair the spots that need it. Use a grout saw, available at local hardware stores, to remove the grout. To replace it, purchase new grout at a tile or full-service lumber store. Mix the grout, then bake a small amount in an oven for one hour at 350 degrees F. This reveals the grout's true color so you can check for a match.