Ever since the coronavirus pandemic hit, bidet sales have skyrocketed and these bathroom fixtures have become more popular in American homes than ever before. Bidets are commonly used in other parts of the world, but toilet paper shortages have led many homeowners in the Tri-State Area to seriously consider getting one for the first time.
If you are considering buying a bidet for your home, here are the basics of owning and operating a bidet so that you’re well-informed about its usage, maintenance, and other considerations.
How Do Bidets Work?
The reason that bidets are so popular now is that they use a stream of water as an alternative to toilet paper, which is in short supply right now. Bidets offer an effective personal hygiene solution after you use the toilet and feature a basin with a spray nozzle that sends water upwards to clean your genitals and anus. Depending on the model and where you are in the world, you’ll find standalone bidets, handheld bidets, and bidets that are attached to the side of toilets.
Here are some basic instructions for how bidets work:
- 1. First, use the normal toilet and wipe like you ordinarily would. Usually one good wipe to eliminate excess waste is all you need if you plan on using the bidet after the toilet.
- 2. For a standalone bidet, sit on the bidet and face the controls so that you can adjust the temperature and see the water as it comes out. You can also sit facing the opposite way to reach other areas better. Straddling the bidet may require you to remove your pants.
- 3. Push the "wash" button on the control panel of the bidet to activate the stream of water. Use the temperature controls and level of jet power according to your comfort.
- 4. Then press the "stop" button when you’re done for the spray nozzle to retract into the seat. Some bidets have an air-drying feature that you can activate at this point to dry yourself off after using the bidet, which eliminates the need to use more toilet paper. When you’re done, run the jets one last time to rinse out the bidet as a courtesy for the next user.
Benefits of Having a Bidet
Yes, bidets can help you reduce your toilet paper consumption, but they can do a lot more than just this. Bidets for sale are great for helping people with mobility issues, medical conditions like hemorrhoids, frequent diarrhea, and developmental disorders that make personal hygiene a challenge.
They can help essentially anyone improve their personal hygiene and cleaning while reducing one’s impact on the environment. Since they help you curb excess toilet paper usage, they can help you save money on household costs and also reduce plumbing problems in your home from clogs. Bidets also help you keep your hands cleaner by reducing the need to excessively wipe after using the toilet, and hand sanitation is more important than ever in this era of COVID-19.
Installing a Bidet in Your Bathroom
If you have recently picked up a bidet for sale, you might be wondering if you need to call in a professional to install it for you. Fortunately, bidet installation is often a straightforward DIY job that you can do yourself with the newfound spare time you now have at home.
If you want to install a bidet seat to replace your current toilet seat, the seat you buy should come with all the equipment built in that you need. This is as simple as using a wrench to remove the existing toilet seat and attaching the new bidet seat over the existing brackets and bolt holes. Handheld bidet sprayers are easy to install as well and involve detaching the toilet’s flexible water supply hose before attaching the bidet’s t-valve to the tank base, connecting the ends, and screwing on the sprayer head.
For a new freestanding bidet that you’ve purchased, you’ll need to make sure that your bathroom has adequate plumbing set up and then follow the owner’s manual instructions to attach the drain fittings, align it over the water supply lines and drains, and properly position it. Make sure that the bidet is level and not installed at an angle, and apply a sealant around the base once it’s installed before reconnecting everything and giving it a test.
Regular Maintenance for a Bidet
As with any bathroom plumbing fixture, a bidet requires regular maintenance to keep it working properly. For sanitation purposes, wipe down the bidet seat with a cleaning solution at least every week, and then clean underneath the seat and around it every couple of weeks. You can keep the spray nozzle clean by scrubbing it with an old toothbrush every once in a while. If the nozzle seems to be blocked and not flowing well, try removing it and soaking it in vinegar for 30 minutes to loosen up any debris.
To avoid having to bring a plumber inside your home, check the water hose on a regular basis to check for any damage in order to prevent overflowing and other potential malfunctions. Also, make a point to check the connection points between hoses for any signs of leaks or moisture damage. Shut off the water supply if you notice any leaks, and investigate the situation further to see if a DIY plumbing repair is needed.
Bidets for Sale Near You
Even in these challenging times, Central Plumbing Specialties is still serving you in the Tri-State area. We have a great selection of bidets for sale, as well as bidet faucets and bidet seats. We encourage you to call our showroom nearest you to inquire about availability of these products, pricing, and current store hours before making a trip out of the house.
Now is a great time to buy and install a bidet in your home, but it’s also an excellent long-term investment that you’ll benefit from using even after this pandemic is over and for many years to come in the future.