Have you ever tried dye testing? I've had similar issues in my old Victorian—thermal imaging was pretty useless because of thick plaster walls and weird insulation setups. Dye testing helped pinpoint leaks behind tiles and membranes when nothing else showed up clearly. It's messy and a bit tedious, but honestly, saved me from ripping out way more tile than necessary. Might be worth a shot if you're still stumped...
Is dye testing really that messy? Haven't tried it myself yet, but now I'm curious. I've always relied on thermal imaging or just good old-fashioned guesswork—sometimes works, sometimes makes things worse, ha. Honestly, if it saved you from tearing out extra tile, sounds like it's worth the hassle. Might give it a go next time I'm dealing with one of those mystery leaks. Thanks for sharing your experience...makes me feel less nuts for struggling with this stuff.
I've been there with the guesswork method too—sometimes it feels like I'm playing detective in my own bathroom, haha. Dye testing can be a bit messy, yeah, but honestly, it's not as bad as it sounds. I tried it once after thermal imaging didn't pinpoint the leak clearly enough, and it saved me from tearing up way more tile than necessary. Just lay down some old towels or plastic sheeting beforehand, and you'll be fine. Plus, there's something oddly satisfying about seeing exactly where the water's sneaking through...makes you feel like you've cracked a tough case. Anyway, you're definitely not alone in feeling a little nuts dealing with these mystery leaks. Homeownership is basically one long DIY puzzle, right? Hang in there!
I get what you're saying about dye testing, but honestly, I found it more hassle than it was worth. Maybe I just had bad luck, but when I tried it, the dye ended up staining some grout lines and took forever to fade out. Not exactly the look I was going for, haha. After that experience, I switched gears and went with a moisture meter instead. Borrowed one from a friend who does woodworking, and it actually worked pretty well—no mess, no stains, and it pinpointed the leak surprisingly accurately.
I mean, dye testing definitely has its place, especially if thermal imaging isn't cutting it. But if you're worried about cleanup or staining, a moisture meter might be worth a shot first. Plus, they're pretty affordable these days, especially if you can borrow or rent one. Just my two cents from someone who's always trying to avoid extra cleanup...
Had a similar experience with dye testing myself—thought I'd be clever and save some cash, but ended up scrubbing grout lines for days. Not fun. Eventually, I tried the moisture meter route too, and it was a lifesaver. Quick tip: start from the bottom and slowly move upward, marking spots with painter's tape as you go. Makes pinpointing the leak way easier and zero cleanup afterward. Worth a try if you're still dealing with leaks...
