How not to destroy bathroom tiling?

Tsavorite

I am [STRIKE]a bit[/STRIKE] hopeless at DIY so hoping people can help with the most cost-efficient way to do this...

I have a back to wall toilet in my bathroom. The cistern is hidden inside a false wall which is tiled. I need to replace the ball valve in the cistern but I don't know how to do it without destroying the tiling.

The false wall comes out from the main wall and there is a pull on the top of it in the tiling, where you should be able to lift a section of tiling out to access the cistern. However, it has been grouted down!

Is it possible to break the grout so that I can pull this section out, without ruining it and having to get it retiled? What sort of tool would be best to do this? It has only been roughly grouted so hoping it's possible!

GrumpyDil

Pictures might help but there are tools designed to grind grout out which would do the job and cost around 20.00

Norman_Castle

Try scraping the grout out with the edge of a screwdriver. With minimal grout the access panel might come out with a tug.

Strider590

This is exactly why I ignored my parents suggestions of a hidden cistern when I did my bathroom years ago, it's also why I didn't tile the floor.

I_have_spoken

You can get a grout remover, often as part of a tiling kit

SplanK

don't bother with a manual tool like the above, they require A lot of effort to use.

you can either use a tool. for a small job I would consider some sort of multi function tool, but for a larger job you can hire a grout remover tool from places like HSS which make makes the job much easier!

Owain_Moneysaver

Aldi has/had one for £10 I think - electric tile grout removal rool

bouicca21

The pipework for my boiler is similarly hidden behind a tiled panel and grouted in. Just took a bit of muscle to pull the panel out.