Bidets have been becoming increasingly prevalent in recent times, thanks to their low cost and ease of installation.
Installing a freestanding bidet without professional help can be difficult, as they require new plumbing lines. That said, bidet conversion kits and bidet toilet seats are quite DIY-friendly, necessitating simple hose connections only.
So, let’s look at how you can add a bidet to your toilet seat easily without having to call a plumber.
What You’ll Need
Before approaching the installation process, it’s always good to check whether you have adequate supplies or not. For installing toilet seat bidets, you will need the following tools:
- Bidet toilet seat
- Screwdrivers
- Towel
- Bucket
- Adjustable wrench or pliers
These tools are quite common and can be found in any typical toolkit. The process is simple enough to be followed without requiring any power tools.
But if you don’t own one of these already, feel free to visit a local hardware store to purchase one.
5 Steps To Install A Bidet
1. Take Out The Old Toilet Seat
Look underneath the rim to find a pair of mounting bolts that may be covered with small plastic covers.
Use a flathead screwdriver to remove them and access the bolts, after which you can undo each screw as well. If the bolts are being held by nuts, reach underneath the toilet bowl to untwist them manually.
And if your toilet seat has no top to unscrew, you may use an adjustable wrench to undo each nut present under the rim. Doing so will free the seat, allowing you to take it out.
Next, grasp the seat firmly and pull on it. The seat will come off, allowing you to clean the rim in preparation for the new bidet seat.
Tip
Note that certain bidet seat brands install on top of the existing toilet seat rim, which makes it important not to throw it away.
2. Shut Off The Water Supply
Find the water supply valve behind your toilet. Close to the floor, you will see the oval-shaped valve, along with a supply hose connecting the toilet tank to the water supply pipe. Turn the shut-down valve clockwise until it can’t be turned anymore.
Now, the toilet must be drained before you can install the new bidet. Flush the toilet to remove any remaining water left standing in the tank.
3. Add The T-Valve To The Toilet Supply Line
Every bidet seat kit comes with a T-valve that enables the diversion of water between the toilet and the bidet shower. It is a plastic valve, so you can freely tighten it using your hands only.
To install it, disconnect the supply hose from the toilet tank by undoing the screw. Place a bucket underneath the hose to collect any residual water, and use a towel to clear up the spills.
Affix the T-valve to the area left behind by the supply hose at the bottom of the tank. And then, you can attach the supply hose directly to the bottom of the valve.
4. Mount The Bidet Toilet Seat
Every bidet toilet seat comes with a mounting plate made from plastic. This plastic is meant to be positioned behind the rim and aligned with the small hole present on it.
So, position the mounting plate and affix it to the rim using mounting bolts. Use the included nuts to secure the bolts in place, after which you may test the mechanism to ensure its integrity.
Once the mounting plate is properly attached, mount the seat onto the plate by sliding it towards the back of the toilet. As it slides into place, you will hear a clicking noise, which will be confirmation that the installation was successful.
5. Connect The Bidet To The Water Supply
Now, to use the bidet, you will need to connect it to your home’s water supply. Use the water supply hose included with the bidet seat and attach it to the last opening that remains on the T-valve. The other end of the hose will connect to the side of the bidet seat.
Once you’ve made the connections, ensure that the hoses have been tightened properly. After this, it’s time to test the bidet for any leaks.
Turn the toilet shut-off valve anticlockwise to resume the tap water supply. In addition to filling the toilet tank up, this will also give the bidet toilet seat access to the water.
Tip
Be sure to look for leaks and tighten any loose hose connections if there are any. You may also use a sealant around the leakage points, if tightening the bolts doesn’t work.
Bidet Types To Consider
The basic bidets aside, there are several other types of bidet seats to consider when purchasing an attachment on the market. And while making this choice, there are plenty of features to consider before you make the deal, including aesthetic and practical features.
1. Electronic Bidet Seats
Electronic bidets are one of the more popular variations of the traditional bidet, giving the user complete control over its spraying capacity.
With these seats, you may choose the water temperature, pressure, oscillation, and more while operating the bidet. Additionally, such seats may come with features like seat heating and air dryer, giving you plenty of options for customization.
These features elevate the pricing of electronic bidet seats, which is worth considering if on a budget.
2. Non-Electronic Bidet Attachments
If you’re looking for an alternative to an electronic bidet toilet seat on a budget, a non-electric add-on bidet attachment may be worth looking into.
Non-electric bidets include the features found in electronic bidet toilet seats that don’t require power to operate. You may find water pressure and swing settings in a non-electric bidet that operates mechanically.
Primarily, these add-on bidets are operated through mechanical dials present on the attachment. And the lack of complex electrical components also provides them with longevity that electronic bidet seats may not have.
3. Handheld Bidets
A handheld bidet sprayer is an affordable alternative to a bidet seat for those who prefer precise control over the clean water stream. Typically made from metal (stainless steel) or plastic, handheld sprayers are durable and easy to use.
These sprayers are connected to the toilet’s water supply and include a manually-operated spray nozzle. Moreover, these can be installed without requiring your toilet rim to be replaced or removed, making them quite convenient in the short and long term.
The only downside is that they must be used manually, which means they include no complex features. So, if you’re looking for luxury features like oscillation systems and adjustable pressure controls, you may be left disappointed.
4. Slim Bidet Toilet Seats
For those with small toilet bowls, a slim bidet toilet seat may be an option to consider. These bidets take up very little space in the toilet bowl, which is usually preferred both aesthetically and functionally.
That said, their small size does not leave much room for advanced features. Slim bidets are usually devoid of features that don’t include basic bidet spraying, which may make them an unfavorable option for regular-sized toilets.
Bidet Toilet Seat Features To Look For
Bidet toilet seats can be quite expensive, which is why it’s a good idea to consider the features and customization options they offer. The more features they offer, the better.
You may find adjustable nozzle, heated seat, and water temperature settings to be rather common, which are operated using a built-in control panel. These features aside, you may want to keep an eye out for the following as well:
1. Automatically Opening/Closing Lid
Bidet toilet seats may come with a feature that raises or lower the toilet lid based on your proximity to the toilet. This is a convenient feature often seen in higher-end bidet models.
2. Body Sensor
Certain bidet seat models automatically turn on and off upon sensing contact with human skin. This feature makes it so that the seat can start becoming warm the moment you sit down on it.
3. Oscillating Spray
In addition to the nozzle angle, certain bidet seats may also have the nozzle move back and forth. This gives the bidet a much larger cleansing area, making it rather efficient at its task.
4. Tankless Water Heater
Instead of using a small water tank to warm water up and spray when needed, tankless water heaters provide water heating on demand. As a result, the waiting time before you gain access to the water is very little, giving you an endless spray of heated water.
Tip
These models have a smaller size, which can be preferable for those going for a minimalistic look or have limited bathroom space.
5. Remote Control
A remote control makes operating the bidet much simpler, eliminating the need to turn around and look for the right control panel button. You may find models that include both a remote control and a panel for using the bidet in both ways.
6. User Presets
Certain bidet seat models allow the user to define presets as per their preferences. This is useful for those living with a family, allowing each family member to have the bidet operate in their preferred settings.
Can a bidet seat attach to every toilet?
Yes, modern bidets are designed to attach to all kinds of toilets, including unique toilet shapes. That said, certain bidet types may have requirements that prevent them from being used universally.
For instance, electronic bidet seats require AC power plugs and sockets in their vicinity or reachable with an extension cord to function. This can limit their usability quite drastically.
Do bidet seats use too much water?
Bidets are very water-efficient. On average, most bidets use up an eighth of a gallon of water per use, whereas it takes up to four gallons to flush the toilet.
How do bidets impact the environment?
Bidets are environmentally friendly. Not only is their water consumption low, but they also cost much less compared to toilet paper.
To draw an example between bidet seats and toilet paper, a single roll of toilet paper uses up to 37 gallons of water. Thus, you will be saving a lot of money on toiletry costs and water bills by switching to a bidet.
Final Words
Making your toilet seat a bidet is a five-step process with very little complexity. And since the installation only requires basic tools, you won’t need to purchase specialized equipment beforehand.
From the monetary benefits to nifty features, bidet seats can be an affordable option to consider. Many models are designed to fit onto your existing toilet seat, which simplifies the installation to a degree.
If you have little plumbing experience, feel free to take your time with the installation process. Simply tackle the process in a systematic manner, and you can enjoy the better hygiene offered by the newly-installed bidet seat in no time.
