Question:
I am a homeowner. My tile guy left areas on my travertine floor where the thinset dried (between the tiles) and it is too high - no room for grout. It needs to come out before I have somebody else grout the floor. Do you have a hand tool that will do this job?
Nancy B. Leawood, Kansas

Answer:
Thanks for your inquiry Nancy. Without going into the quality of installation, the thinset problem sounds like part of a bigger problem. But let's focus on the present problem. Thinset oozing up between the joints is rather common during installation. One needs only to scrub and wash the floor as it is being set to eliminate the problem mentioned. This did not happen and now you are faced with the task of removing the hardened thinset before grouting.

Travertine is very soft and it is easy to damage the tiles if one is not careful. We make a tool with a carbide insert on one end that would scrape the thinset out of the joint to make it ready for grouting. Our Scraper # 70809 would do the job for you. Also if you are adventurous you could purchase our #74000 Handyman Complete Installation kit. In this kit is a complete grouting system (with video) that will allow you to grout the floor yourself and not need another tile installer. The choice is yours. Another way to address this joint problem is to just hire someone to do all the work and not be involved. I hope I have given you enough options to get the job done!
Walter

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