Ceramic Towel holder Removal

I need to remove the ceramic towel holder as shown on the attached pic. I have replaced a number of tiles, but before I take a mallet to the towel holder, I would like to see if there is a better way.

 

Those towel holders can be tough to remove. I don't think there is any easy way to do it. Just make sure you have spare tiles as you will need at least one or two for the repair.

 

Yes, it is mortared in place and designed not to be removed. If you have extra tiles, it can be removed. It is recessed into the wall tile and will leave a hole if removed. It could also damage the surrounding tile if not removed carefully.

 

Yes, but what is the best technique to remove it?

 

Put on safety glasses and hit it with a hammer. Try to remove it in pieces.

 

You first take a grout removal tool, I use an oscillating too with a grout blade. to remove the grout lines around the handle extensiion to break the ties with the surrounding tiles. You then hit it with a hammer until it breaks into pieces. You then take a chisel and chip at it until all the mortared pieces are free. You then take your grout tool and remove the grout that connects the partial tile under it from the rest of the wall tile to isolate that one partial tile from the rest of the wall tile. You then systematically chip out the partial wall tile until you have a compete void with which you can replace the tile with a whole tile.

Again, this only works if you have some of the original tile left over. Lots of ways to screw this up if you are a novice. Understand that upfront.

 

Thanks - I can do this.