Does a Bidet Require Special Plumbing? Installation Tips

Bidets might seem complicated, but they’re actually fairly easy to install. Adding a bidet to an existing toilet can be done in less than five minutes. However, installing a new bidet without the necessary plumbing or electricity can be challenging and time-consuming.

A bidet requires special plumbing if it’s a standalone unit. You’ll need valves, drains, and hoses. Attached bidets don’t require extra plumbing because they go into the existing toilet’s water source. Turn off the water and connect the bidet to the water supply, then mount it under the toilet seat.

Adding a bidet to your toilet is much easier than installing a standalone bidet. I highly recommend getting a bidet attachment to clean the front and back every time you use the toilet. Let’s examine the plumbing requirements and FAQs below.

What Plumbing Is Required for a Bidet?

The plumbing requirements for a bidet include P-traps, inlets, outlets, and 3/4″ hoses. This Old House suggests using a vacuum backflow valve. These valves stop dirty water from flowing back into the bidet, which can cause unwanted uncleanliness.

To be transparent, I would always recommend a bidet toilet attachment rather than installing a whole standalone bidet. Here’s a list of benefits of bidet attachments that you won’t find in standalone units:

• Bidet attachments are much less expensive than standalone bidets. You can save tons of time, energy, and more by getting an attachment unit.
• You don’t need special plumbing, especially since most bidet attachments come with all of the connector pieces you need. Remove your toilet’s retainers from the water source after shutting the inlet valve, then connect the bidet hose.
• Most standalone bidets use water pressure instead of electricity, which means you don’t need access to a wall outlet. You don’t need an electrician to install a bidet attachment.
• You can sit on a toilet with a bidet attachment, but most standalone bidets don’t have seats. A bidet attachment also has a control panel right next to you rather than behind you.

Keep in mind that a bidet should have a water shutoff valve. Much like how showers use shutoff valves, your bidet needs to be able to stop the water from overflowing. If you choose a bidet attachment, you’ll be glad to know that it doesn’t need extra valve plumbing since your toilet already has it all. Simply fill and squeeze the bottle to use it.

Another option is a portable bidet that doesn’t require any plumbing. The Brondell GoSpa Travel Bidet comes with a bottle and a manual nozzle that you can use if you’re visiting a place without a bidet. It also has a travel bag with a drawstring enclosure.

Does a Bidet Use the Same Plumbing as a Toilet?

A bidet doesn’t use the same plumbing as a toilet because it needs its own water supply and drainage hose. However, a bidet attachment uses the same plumbing as a toilet because it uses hoses that are in line with the toilet’s plumbing. This means all of the water you clean and flush comes from and goes to the same locations without needing new pipes or hoses.

Having dedicated plumbing for your standalone bidet will prevent water pressure issues. Hire a plumber to attach the bidet to the home’s water source (consider connecting it to the hot water heater if you want to use warm water in the bidet).

You can connect a bidet attachment to your toilet to skip all of the special plumbing requirements. I installed my bidet attachment in about two minutes without any leaks, and it’s still going strong.

As with any water feature in your home, running a bidet simultaneously with sinks, showers, toilets, laundry machines, or dishwashers will reduce the water pressure. Most bidets have water pressure knobs that let you increase the flow, though.

Does a Bidet Need a Dedicated Outlet?

A bidet doesn’t need a dedicated outlet because it doesn’t use a lot of electricity. Electric bidets use as little as 600 watts at peak, so there’s no need to dedicate a wall outlet or circuit breaker. Non-electric bidets don’t use any outlets because they’re powered by your home’s water pressure.

Alpha Bidet states that bidets use a maximum of 1400 watts. This might seem like a lot, but it’s not referring to watts per hour. It simply means that your bidet would use 1400 watts if you ran it for 60 minutes uninterrupted. You’re more likely not to use your bidet for longer than a few minutes daily, so the watt usage is much lower.

If you have a non-electric bidet (which I suggest trying because the attachments use a lot less energy), you don’t have to worry about using wall outlets or running wires to the bidet. Furthermore, I prefer tankless bidets because they don’t need as much maintenance or special plumbing.

Can a Bidet Cause Plumbing Problems?

A bidet can only cause plumbing problems if it’s installed incorrectly. Leaks or a lack of a backflow valve can weaken the water pressure and contaminate the plumbing. Additionally, running a bidet often slows other water sources being used in the house until the bidet turns off.

So, how can you avoid plumbing problems with bidets?

• Use the correct fittings for your toilet’s plumbing when connecting it to your bidet. Loose fittings will leak, even if you use enough Teflon tape.
• Avoid expanding sealants that can crack the bidet hose. You can use silicone sealant because it prevents water from leaking.
• Open the bidet’s water inlet valve as much as possible. You can control the water pressure on the bidet’s lever or control panel.
• Use a backflow valve if you have a standalone bidet. Bidet attachments don’t need these valves because the dirty water flushes down the toilet.
• Get a professional to install the bidet if you want a standalone unit. You’ll have no problem mounting and plumbing a bidet attachment, but standalone bidets require a lot of drilling and plumbing.

When you want to install a bidet, you’ll have to consider whether you want to attach it to your toilet, get new plumbing, add a hose attachment, or use a built-in nozzle. These decisions all affect how you’ll plumb and install your bidet. No worries, though; bidets are well worth the hassle!

Watch this YouTube video to learn about the special plumbing differences between bidet attachments and standalone bidets: