Plumbing Access Panel... How to Remove?

[ipeefreely]

I have this access panel in my bathroom in the basement... is there some sort of trick to pull it up? I tried prying up a little on the edge but I don't want to break the tile.

I'm wondering if it's just a clean out or if I have a backwater valve (looks about the size).

I found a receipt for a 40' of new abs sewer pipe (installed) from the previous owner. If I'm luck maybe they put one in!

C_Dave45 do you know?

[jeffh]

That don't look like an access panel to me. It looks like Schluter tile edging placed to indicate an access point. Hopefully, the tile will pop up, but may have to smash me out. The old homeowner may have left you some matching tiles, just in case they would need to replaced. Check around for extras. Do they feel loose at all?

[C_Dave45]

It's probably a clean out or back-up valve. Try smacking it with a rubber mallet, at the same time prying it with a wide, very stiff putty knive (2"-3"). He might have set it with thinset, but hopefully just placed it and it's gummed up with dirt etc.
Rake any dirt or grout that's between the tile and the Schluter. Hard to know if the Schluter goes under the "insert" pieces, or under the field tile.

[ipeefreely]

Originally posted by jeffh
That don't look like an access panel to me. It looks like Schluter tile edging placed to indicate an access point. Hopefully, the tile will pop up, but may have to smash me out. The old homeowner may have left you some matching tiles, just in case they would need to replaced. Check around for extras. Do they feel loose at all?

Thanks, I only found extra tile for upstairs unfortunately. We were thinking of putting in a vanity so that might cover it if I do break it (I'd add a trap door or something for access).

It's in there pretty tight!

Originally posted by C_Dave45
It's probably a clean out or back-up valve. Try smacking it with a rubber mallet, at the same time prying it with a wide, very stiff putty knive (2"-3" ). He might have set it with thinset, but hopefully just placed it and it's gummed up with dirt etc.
Rake any dirt or grout that's between the tile and the Schluter. Hard to know if the Schluter goes under the "insert" pieces, or under the field tile.

Thanks Dave! I'll give that a try!

[syscal]

I'm guessing they placed this before grouting. Running an olfa knife on the outside (panel side) of the schluter will probably loosen it up.

I think by the slight bend in the lower left, and the squareness of the schluter a the grout line, indicates the schluter is under the field file. But, that could just be the pic/shading

[BavarianBeast]

Plunge it!

Depending how smooth the rock is you should be able to suck er out with a plunger.