Best Bidet: How to Select, Install and Use a Bidet
Best Bidet: How to Select, Install and Use a Bidet
youtube https://youtu.be/silYA2vWgRM This video starts with comparison of different kinds of bidets and will show you the best way to install a bidet on a conventional toilet. Installation will take about 20 minutes. We’ll walk you through our detailed 10-step instructions. It is actually quite easy, requiring no special skills at all. Even though each owner’s manual comes with some instructions for you to follow, since many popular brands have very similar products, we will discuss some overall principles and the strategies so that this video can be applied to your situation. The sample product used in this video is a Biobidet model BBC-70 simplet. A bidet is far better (cleaner and healthier) than toilet paper, because a bidet will rinse away fecal residue and remove almost all odor. Paper won’t do that. It will bring comfort to people with hemorrhoids. But do you know how to use it? Watch to the end of this video to get the answer. twitter https://twitter.com/RealGeniusAsian/status/1087801065498505216
For the full video tutorial, visit Genius Asian.
Alternative Methods
The video covers one bidet approach. Here is the full spectrum of options.
1. Handheld Bidet Sprayer (Cloth Diaper Sprayer)
When to use: Budget-friendly bidet alternative with precise directional control.
- Pros: Very affordable, easy to install on existing toilet supply line, versatile use, portable versions available
- Cons: Requires one hand to operate, can spray water outside the bowl, cold water only (most models)
- Difficulty: Easy
- Estimated cost: ~$15-35 for the sprayer kit
2. Electric Bidet Seat with Warm Water
When to use: When you want heated water, a heated seat, air dryer, and adjustable pressure.
- Pros: Full-featured comfort, warm water, air drying reduces toilet paper use, deodorizer on some models
- Cons: Requires a nearby electrical outlet (may need GFCI installation), higher cost, more complex install
- Difficulty: Medium
- Estimated cost: ~$200-500 for the seat
3. Standalone Bidet Fixture
When to use: New bathroom construction or major remodel with space for a separate fixture.
- Pros: Separate hot and cold water, full ceramic fixture, elegant appearance, no toilet modification
- Cons: Requires plumbing rough-in, takes floor space, significant cost, rarely practical in existing bathrooms
- Difficulty: Hard (requires plumbing)
- Estimated cost: ~$300-1,000+ for fixture plus installation
Tips for Selecting and Installing a Bidet
Choosing the right bidet and getting a leak-free installation is simpler than most people expect. These tips cover what the owner’s manual often leaves out.
- Measure the distance from your toilet bolts to the front of the bowl. Bidet attachments come in standard round (16.5 inches) and elongated (18.5 inches) sizes. An elongated attachment on a round bowl will overhang the front, and a round attachment on an elongated bowl leaves an awkward gap.
- Check the water supply valve type before buying adapters. Most bidet kits include a T-adapter that connects between the shut-off valve and the fill hose. If your shut-off valve uses compression fittings, the included adapter will usually fit. Older gate valves or soldered connections may need an additional adapter or valve replacement.
- Hand-tighten all plastic fittings, then add only a quarter turn with pliers. Over-tightening plastic threads cracks the fitting. A snug connection with a rubber washer inside is all you need. No Teflon tape is required on connections that use rubber washers.
- Test for leaks immediately after install. Turn on the supply valve slowly, check every connection, and lay a paper towel under the T-adapter. Wait five minutes before declaring victory. Slow drips often take a moment to appear.
- Position the nozzle so the spray hits the correct area. Most non-electric bidet attachments let you adjust the nozzle angle. Sit on the toilet and check the spray direction with water pressure on low before cranking it up. A few degrees of adjustment makes a big difference in comfort.
- Use Teflon tape only on metal-to-metal threads. Metal fittings connecting to the shut-off valve benefit from two or three wraps of Teflon tape. Plastic-to-rubber-washer connections do not.
- Consider a dual-temperature model if cold water bothers you. Non-electric warm-water bidets connect to both the cold supply and the hot water line under the sink. This requires running a small braided hose from the sink’s hot valve to the toilet area, which adds about 10 minutes to the install.
Essential Tools for Bidet Installation
The install is intentionally simple, requiring only basic hand tools.
| Tool / Material | Purpose | Approximate Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Adjustable wrench | Disconnects and reconnects the toilet supply hose | $8-15 |
| Pliers (channel-lock) | Provides extra grip on stubborn compression nuts | $10-15 |
| Teflon tape | Seals metal-to-metal threaded connections | $2-3 |
| Towel or small bucket | Catches residual water when disconnecting the supply hose | Free (household items) |
| Flathead screwdriver | Removes toilet seat bolts if they are slotted | $3-5 |
| Flashlight | Illuminates the tight space behind the toilet | Free (use phone) |
| Bidet attachment kit | The bidet itself plus T-adapter, hoses, and mounting hardware | $25-60 (non-electric) / $200-500 (electric) |
Space check: Before purchasing, confirm that there is at least 1 inch of clearance between the back of the toilet tank and the wall. Some bidet seats are thicker than standard seats and can push the lid into the wall.
When to Call a Pro
Bidet installation is a beginner-friendly project, but a few situations justify calling a licensed plumber.
- There is no shut-off valve on the toilet supply line. Older homes sometimes have supply lines soldered directly to the main without a valve. A plumber can install a quarter-turn shut-off valve, which is essential for any bidet attachment and a good safety upgrade on its own.
- You want an electric bidet seat and there is no nearby outlet. Electric bidets require a GFCI-protected outlet within cord reach of the toilet. Running a new circuit to the bathroom is an electrical job that should be done by a licensed electrician, not routed via extension cord.
- The existing supply hose is rigid chrome or corroded. Old rigid supply tubes are fragile and prone to snapping when disturbed. A plumber can replace the tube with a flexible braided stainless steel hose, which is safer and easier to work with.
- Water pressure is above 80 PSI. Excessive pressure can damage the bidet’s internal valve and void the warranty. A pressure-reducing valve installed at the main line protects all fixtures in the house.
- You want to run hot water from the sink to the bidet across the room. Routing a hot water line behind walls, through the vanity, and to the toilet area cleanly requires some basic carpentry and plumbing skill. A pro can do this without visible hoses.
For more bathroom plumbing projects, see our home plumbing guide. If you already have a bidet seat and need help troubleshooting leaks, check out bidet seat easy installation and fixing leaks, or learn about 5 ways to make a free portable bidet.
Always verify contractor licensing and insurance in your state. Cost estimates are averages and may vary by location.