How to Remove Travertine Tile With an Angle Grinder

Open all the windows and doors to the exterior of the home and prepare the area for the removal of tile. Dust is a major concern when working with an angle grinder, and if you are living in the house you need to protect against dust for your furniture and living areas. Cover all doorways and entryways into the interior sections with plastic sheeting and tape it to the wall with masking tape to block dust.

Clear the grout from around the piece of tile so you don’t damage the other pieces during the removal, since grout transfers shockwaves and movement. Grasp the angle grinder firmly with both hands and press the grinder blade against the face of the grout joint while you pull the trigger. Let the blade sink into the grout joint while you move it through the joint to remove the grout.

Prepare the piece of tile for removal. Use the angle grinder to cut the tile across the face in an X from outside corner to outside corner. Be careful to only cut deep enough to cut through the single piece of tile. Avoid cutting into any surrounding pieces and work slowly so you can avoid the grinder jumping out and skipping across the face of surrounding tiles.

Insert the tip of the claw on a pry bar into the line you just cut into the face of the travertine. Apply pressure and pry a section of the travertine away from the substrate surface. Start at the inside of the travertine tile and work outward to the empty joint. Cut additional lines as required if the pieces do not want to pry out easily.