Thanks for the amazing advice on the forums. I am currently remodeling my bathroom and I was wondering if someone could offer their two cents. Thinking of the future I would like to include an access panel in the front of the tub, (tiled) say four 12 x 12 tiles, secured by only the grout. Would this be feasable, my thinking is I could just cut the grout lines to remove the tiles/access panels to service the plumbing. The tiles would be mounted to 1/2" plywood, and the panel would only be able to be removed by pulling out. Your comments would be very welcome. David

I don't think grout itself would be secure enough.I have tried various methods in the past for a removal panel including velcro strips attached with a hot glue to the back of the tile.

I usually use caulking, not grout to temporarily seal a tile. It is easier to cut through with a utility knife than grout. The hard part is finding a caulking that matches well.

The whirlpool motors and blowers are sometimes available on either side of a tub. Keep this in mind when ordering a tub. Depending on your layout, you may actually be able to access the works through the drywall in the adjoining room. You can then disguise the access as a heating vent on the wall instead on monkeying around with the tile.

I would agree with everything above, and would add that if you do decide to go with your present plan, you should use 1/2" CBU, such as hardibacker, instead of plywood. It'll hold up better in humid conditions.

I usually make the removable panel two tiles wide, the entire height of the skirt. If it's placed right, it's more than enough room to get the pump out when needed.

Thank you for the replies, a little clarification. The motor is on the end of the tub and I have access through the vanity, the tub is a neo unit, 2' then 5' then 2'. The faucet is in the middle of the 5' section at the front of the tub. If i ever need to access the plumbing/faucets it means tearing down the skirt. What i was hoping to do was to use four tiles mounted onto 1/2 plywood with 1/4 hardibacker, securly mount the tiles to the square with thinset, and secure the tiled square to the rest of the frame with grout. The tiled square would be a tight friction fit with the plywood behind, installed in such a way that removal could only be by pulling away from the skirt. Above the skirt is a 5' granite threshold bordering the tub. The tub is a center point, and caulking the skirt just would not look right, i would rather not have an access panel and tear down the skirt for an emergency than have a cosmetic orphan. I have shut of valves accessable in the vanity beside the tub. It would be a rare emergency to access the faucets I would think, but one never knows!! Again thank you very much for sharing your experiences and time. David

I've not use every brand of grout that's out there, but of the one's I've used, the matching grout caulk colors have been a spot-on match. I've use mapei, c-cure, and laticrete brands with no problem. Some of them are difficult to find, you might have to go on the internet to get them, but they're out there.
If you used grout instead of caulk, you might have a hard time getting out all the grout without damamging the edges of the tile.

When i make a panel i use 1/2" cement board and rock everything without thought of where it goes. I start setting the tile and dry lay the area of the panel. When tile is set i remove the dry layed tiles-cut out the board 1 inch in-martar 1 or 2 more pieces of board to back side for weight. Then set the board in place and mortar tile in place being careful to keep mortar out of joint. I finish with color matched caulking at seam and grout in side and i cant tell where its at.

I just like to add something, try this amazing solution , you can use any 4 piece magnetic you can find in any hardware store

http://www.tiledepot.us/docs/schluter_rema.html

I've used them but they aren't quite strong enough to hold bigger tiles.And you wouldn't want to leave the joints unfilled.I also caulk the joints with a colour match silicone like Rob Knapp does.