3 Things to Know When Installing a Bidet Seat

People tend to think that installing a bidet toilet seat will be some massive renovation project that will require a plumber, as well as a lot of money and time. The truth is, bidet seats have do-it-yourself installation, and it’s a project that most people can do on their own in about 30 minutes. Thousands of our customers have installed bidets themselves, and so can you. Before you dive into this life-changing bathroom update, we have a few tips to prepare you for the task that will make your bidet toilet seat installation a simple and straightforward job.

1. Determine Your Toilet Size

Like a lot of things you buy (shoes, bowling balls, pizzas, etc.), toilets come in different sizes. The two sizes for a toilet are Elongated and Round, and the size is essentially a measure of the distance from the seat mounting holes to the front outer edge of the bowl. And as you may have guessed, bidet seats also come in Elongated and Round sizes to match your toilet. We have a useful fitting page that shows you how to measure your toilet to check the size. Generally speaking, elongated size toilets are a bit more common than round. While you’re measuring the bowl size, you should also check the distance between the toilet seat mounting holes and the water tank (the measuring guide shows you how to do this). Most toilets have plenty of room behind the mounting holes for the bidet bracket to fit, but one-piece toilets with French curve tanks or other designs with limited clearance between the mounting holes and tank may have problems fitting a bidet seat.

2. Water Connection

Our second bidet installation tip is all about the water connection. Modern bidet seats have an assortment of fantastic features, including adjustable water temperature, but they do not need a hot water supply. In fact, connecting your electric bidet to a hot water line can prevent the seat from operating due to the safety sensors that detect incoming water temperature. Instead, you will split the existing cold water line that supplies water to the toilet tank. The water is warmed internally by the unit’s water heating system, and every bidet that we sell is packaged with the necessary hardware to complete the installation. Before connecting to the water line, remember to turn off the water at the shut off valve and then flush your toilet to prevent water leaks.

3. Access to an Electrical Outlet

Lastly, your bidet toilet seat will need to be plugged in to operate. Like many home appliances, the bidet requires a standard grounded outlet of 110/120 Volts and 60 Hertz. The power cord on most models is between 3.5 and 4 feet in length. You can check the model to see if the cord is on the left or right side in case you are looking to have an outlet installed by an electrician. If you choose to use an extension cord, make sure it is rated for 15 amps with a grounded plug receptacle, and always safely secure excess cordage for safety.

Once you have these three things covered, your bidet toilet seat installation should be a breeze. Now that you know how to install one, it's time to buy one! Visit us at bidetsPLUS for great deals on all the top bidets!