Bidet Installation: Important Considerations
Bidets were once thought to be a bathroom feature that could only be found in luxury houses. However, as they've grown in popularity, more homeowners are considering this sort of upgrade. Bidets are convenient and add a touch of lavishness, but if you're leaning more towards a stand-alone unit rather than a toilet-bidet combo, remember that the installation does come with some added considerations. Learn more about some of these considerations to ensure you're informed.
Costs
In years past, bidets were somewhat limited to certain people because of their increased cost. While the price of these units has lowered over the years, they aren't exactly inexpensive, especially when you consider the fact that you are, to some sort, doubling your toilet fixture cost. For a newly designed bathroom with a stand-alone unit, you need to leave room in the budget to purchase both the toilet and the bidet fixture.
Plumbing
Since the bidet and the toilet are two separate structures, remember that that the two units will also require separate plumbing connections. However, the plumbing design for a bidet is slightly different. Bidets are equipped with a faucet and require both a cold and hot water connection, which requires the bidet to follow a similar connection to the sink in the bathroom. You have to make sure the design for the room accommodates these added connections.
Space
Not only is it important to leave added space in the room's design for the addition of the plumbing connections, but you have to also consider the bidet itself. The average bidet is comparable in size to a toilet. Consequently, you need to double the size of the area that you originally had planned for the toilet, especially if your design includes a water closet. Bidets typically require space for your legs to rest on each side, so keep this detail in mind when planning your layout.
Electricity
Bidets don't just provide a cleaning aid; a number of new units also include a drying feature. If you select a unit with this feature, you will need to ensure you also provide an electrical connection for the feature to work. Make sure you leave extra room in your budget. On the other hand, if you choose a unit without this feature, you don't have to worry about this added expense if you need to cut costs.
If you still have questions, don't hesitate to seek out professional bathroom design services to help you determine whether or not you should install a bidet.