How to Install a Bidet

A bidet is an economical and healthy addition to the home bathroom experience. It’s up to your budget and preferences, as well as the existing layout of the bathroom, which type of bidet style to choose. Bidet installation is a relatively easy do-it-yourself home update project, even for beginners.

Before Bidet Installation

As with any home improvement project, it’s a good idea to prepare your workspace and tools ahead of getting started. This means making sure all required parts, fixtures, tools, and extra supplies are collected and at hand. It also means double checking the final measurements of the fixture to be installed against the amount of space available to install it, or any accessories.

Bidet installation tools and supplies may include:

• Bidet, bidet seat, or bidet sprayer
• Drill & drill bits
• Wrench set
• Pliers
• Utility knife
• Level
• Silicone sealant
• Water bucket or towels
• Pencil or marker

First, check for any manufacturer’s instructions on your bidet seat or bidet sprayer. Always consult the provided instructions to be certain that all features are assembled as specified to prevent voiding any warranty on the product.

A bidet, like a toilet, bath, or even the sink, requires specific plumbing to drain waste and minimize the resulting sewer smells and toxins efficiently. If you are replacing an existing bidet or installing a new bidet, make sure that it is set up to include or work with a plumbing trap, also known as a P-trap or U-bend. Many bidet models will have a built-in P-trap or S-trap, but not all. It is important to know before the bidet installation because if there is not one built in it will have to be added to the home plumbing connection.

Some bidets may require both hot and cold water supply connections. This may require extra plumbing in advance if your bathroom is not already equipped for the separate supply hoses. Make sure the dual supply lines can reach the bidet.

Even the best bidet attachment can only work if it has sufficient space to be used. Measure to be sure there is enough room to place and access a bidet, bidet seat, or bidet sprayer before you begin the bidet installation. Here are a few common measurements to watch for:

• A freestanding bidet should be installed near the toilet, with at least 30” between the center of the existing bidet drain and toilet drain. This allows enough room for standard-sized bowls of both fixtures to be comfortably used. 
• Be certain there is room for the bidet or bidet accessories to be installed and used without interfering with walls or vanity cupboards. If the bidet will interfere with the safe operation of any doors or drawers, the bidet won’t fit. 
• If a bidet has electrical components, some models may require being placed within reach of a standard electrical outlet. Know ahead of time whether the required cords can reach the nearest outlet, and if necessary, rework the electrical wiring behind the bathroom wall to provide the power supply.

Finally, when it comes to knowing how to install a bidet, bidet seat, or bidet sprayer, the very last preparatory step to take is to turn off the water supply to the toilet because bidet installation taps into the same water supply line. There will be a supply valve on the wall near the toilet, and most require a simple turn to the “off” position. From there, flush the toilet multiple times in order to empty the tank and the bowl entirely to prevent leaks. 

As always, if you aren’t comfortable with the complications of dealing with home plumbing or any required electrical work, don’t hesitate to hire a plumber or contractor for the installation. Every home can present unique challenges and the experts are there to help you navigate them.

How to Install a Bidet

To replace and install a new freestanding bidet, the installation process is somewhat similar to installing a toilet. It is a relatively straightforward project, even for the home improvement novice, and should only take a few hours to complete.

1.  Remove the existing bidet. Double check the location of the plumbing trap, whether it is installed in the plumbing or built into the bidet being replaced. 
2. Attach the included faucets and drain fittings to the new bidet according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
3. The bidet should have a dedicated water supply and plumbing fixtures that can be easily transferred to the new bidet. Temporarily fit the bidet over the drain to ensure secure placement with the drain and water supply fittings.
4. Mark the placement of the bolt-holes in the bidet base on the floor below it with a pencil or marker.
5. Drill pilot holes through the traced bolt holes in the floor.
6. Bolt the bidet in place and install the caps over the bolt ends.
7. Use a level to make sure the bidet is evenly installed and flat.
8. Apply silicone sealant around the base of the bidet to ensure a watertight seal.
9. Connect the drain plumbing, the water supply fittings, and then connect the bidet to the shut off valve.
10.  Turn on the water at the water supply valve and test the bidet for leaks.

How to Install a Bidet Toilet Seat

Bidet toilet seats sit on the toilet bowl, as a toilet seat would. They are slightly larger than a standard toilet seat and require a more secure mounting plate to accommodate the best bidet attachments, but the installation is completed similar to that of a standard toilet seat.

1. Remove the existing toilet seat from the toilet, including the nuts and bolts that hold the seat onto the bowl.
2. While the seat area is accessible, clean the toilet and the seat mounting area thoroughly.
3. Attach the bidet seat mounting bracket plate to the toilet base. Bolt the plate into place in the same location as the seat bolts. Tighten the plate securely but not completely to allow for any adjustments once the bidet seat is fitted in place.
4. Install the bidet seat onto the mounting bracket. Align the bidet seat to the bowl for a comfortable fit, and adjust the mounting plate as needed. It should sit securely on the bowl without sliding or shifting.

To begin the bidet hose installation, you will need to disconnect the toilet tank from the water supply hose. At this point, water will likely spill from the toilet tank valve once the hose is removed, so have a bucket under the valve to catch it, or keep a towel handy to clean up the floor.

1. Disconnect the water supply hose from the toilet tank fill valve. Clean up any spills and dry the valve connection.
2. Connect the bidet T-valve to the toilet tank fill valve.
3. Connect the water supply hose to the bidet t-valve.
4. Secure the connections between the t-valve to the seat functions according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
5. Turn on the water and test the bidet.

It’s worth noting that some bidets are only operational when their built-in sensors indicate a user is seated, so the only way to test that the features are fully functional on some bidet seats may be to properly use the bidet.

How to Install a Hand Bidet Sprayer

A hand bidet sprayer is one of the best bidet attachments for allowing personal control of spray direction and pressure, and it can require extra space around the toilet for both the use and installation of the hose and spray.

One of the first considerations when installing a hand bidet sprayer is to determine the most convenient location for the sprayer. Note how close the hose needs to be to the toilet’s tank fill valve to ensure full range of movement for the sprayer. The length of the hose can also influence whether it is installed to the left or right of the toilet for the easiest reach. 

1. Attach the sprayer holster mount to the side of the toilet tank or to a nearby wall, wherever it is most convenient to store the hose and to reach it for use. 
2. With the water supply turned off and the toilet tank empty, disconnect the water supply hose from the toilet tank fill valve. Have a towel or bucket in place to dry up after any spills.
3. Dry the toilet tank fill valve and attach the bidet sprayer t-valve to the fill valve securely.
4. Attach the water supply hose to the t-valve.
5. Attach the bidet sprayer accessories to the sprayer hose.
6. Turn on the water at the wall valve and test the sprayer.