a tile adhesive removal system having a handle , or tool , and one or more removable tips . when applying ceramic tiles , one should remove any excess adhesive in the channel between an existing tile and a tile currently under application . a properly - sized tip is selected for a particular channel width , and is removably attached to the handle . the handle and tip together may remove any excess adhesive from the channel between tiles , and then may be easily cleaned for use in applying the next tile . the size of the handle and tip together is large enough so that the cleaning process is relatively simple for the user . the removal system may have an orienting element , so that the tip is not inserted upside down , and may have an attachment element , such as one or more bumps that engage one or more corresponding detents .