Bidet: Definition & Professional Guide
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A bidet is a plumbing fixture designed for personal hygiene that uses a stream of water to cleanse the body after using the toilet. Bidets range from standalone porcelain fixtures installed beside the toilet to integrated bidet toilet seats and handheld sprayers that attach to existing toilets, providing a more thorough and environmentally sustainable alternative to toilet paper alone while reducing the risk of skin irritation and infection.
Water Supply Connections, Drain Requirements & Conservation Impact
Bidets have been standard bathroom fixtures in Europe, South America, and Asia for decades, and their adoption in the United States has accelerated significantly since 2020. The core function is simple: a controlled stream of warm or ambient-temperature water cleanses the perineal area after toilet use. This water-based cleaning is more effective at removing bacteria than dry paper alone, and dermatologists frequently recommend bidets for patients with hemorrhoids, inflammatory bowel conditions, and sensitive skin.
From a plumbing perspective, bidets require a cold water supply connection at minimum, with many models also requiring a hot water connection or an electrical connection for heated water, warm air drying, and seat warming features. Standalone bidets require their own drain connection and occupy floor space equivalent to a second toilet. Bidet seats and attachments use the existing toilet’s water supply and mounting hardware, making them far simpler to install.
Water consumption for bidet use averages approximately 1/8 gallon per use, compared to the estimated 37 gallons of water required to manufacture one roll of toilet paper. This makes bidets a net positive for water conservation when they reduce toilet paper consumption significantly.
Standalone, Seat, Attachment, Handheld & Integrated Types
Standalone bidets are separate porcelain fixtures installed adjacent to the toilet with their own hot and cold supply connections and drain. They resemble a low-mounted sink and are common in European bathrooms. Installation requires dedicated plumbing rough-in.
Bidet toilet seats replace the existing toilet seat with an integrated unit that includes a retractable wash nozzle, water temperature control, and often a warm air dryer. These require an electrical outlet near the toilet and a cold water supply connection, which typically tees off the existing toilet shutoff valve.
Bidet attachments mount between the existing toilet seat and the bowl rim. They are simpler than bidet seats, offering basic water spray functionality without electricity. Temperature control is limited to cold water unless a hot supply line is also connected.
Handheld bidet sprayers attach to the toilet shutoff valve via a T-adapter and provide a spray head on a flexible hose. The user controls the spray direction and pressure manually. These are the simplest and least expensive bidet option.
Integrated bidet toilets combine the toilet and bidet into a single unit with built-in wash, dry, and deodorizing functions. These are premium installations that require both plumbing and electrical connections.
Installation, Supply Lines & Bathroom Plumbing Services
Bidet installation involves water supply connections, drain plumbing (for standalone units), and sometimes electrical coordination. Bonded Plumbworks’ bathroom plumbing installations include bidet supply line tees, shutoff valve installation, and drain rough-in for standalone models. For bidet seats requiring electrical power, Bonded Plumbworks coordinates with electricians to ensure a GFCI-protected outlet is available within reach of the toilet.
During bathroom renovations, Bonded Plumbworks can rough in supply and drain connections for standalone bidets during the construction phase, when adding plumbing lines is most cost-effective.
ASSE 1014, Backflow Prevention & DWV Code Requirements
The State building codes require that bidet supply connections include a backflow prevention device (vacuum breaker) to prevent contamination of the potable water supply. ASSE 1014 governs backflow protection for handheld shower and bidet spray units. All supply connections must use approved materials and shutoff valves. Standalone bidets require a P-trap and vent connection per standard DWV code requirements.
TOTO Washlet, Brondell Swash & BioBidet Product Lines
TOTO manufactures the Washlet line of bidet seats and the Neorest integrated bidet toilet. Brondell produces the Swash series of bidet seats in multiple feature tiers. BioBidet offers the BB-2000 with warm water, air dry, and deodorizer functions. Tushy manufactures budget-friendly bidet attachments for non-electric installation. Kohler is another manufacturer whose products Bonded Plumbworks technicians install and service for bidet applications.