How To Install A Bidet In Your Bathroom For That Extra Clean Feeling
Bidets occupy a few areas we don't like to linger on. Plumbing in general, toilets in particular, and the cleaning of our personal areas in super-particular aren't the topics we're most comfortable with. So, it helps when a matter-of-fact and very competent pro like TikTok user and TaskRabbit handyman @keepinithandy walks you through a DIY bidet installation in 49 seconds. But can it really be that simple? Yes, mostly. He describes the LUXE Bidet Neo 185 Plus, a gem of simplicity that addresses many of the hidden downsides of bidets, as the easiest Luxe model to install. On YouTube, he covers the mostly trouble-free process in more detail. Let's have a look at what is required, and how to make it go smoothly.
The basic installation process is a series of easy steps: Flush and drain the toilet tank. Loosen the toilet seat and turn off the water supply to the toilet at the valve behind the tank. Disconnect the water supply line from the toilet, but not from the shutoff valve. Place the T adapter on the toilet tank and attach the supply line to the bottom of it. Slide the bidet under the seat so that its hinged brackets are under the seat-mounting bolts, making sure the bidet mechanism is centered in the bowl, then tighten down the seat. Connect the bidet's supply line from the T adapter to the bidet. Turn the water back on and check for leaks, then test the bidet. It's as easy as that.
What could go wrong?
Almost nothing can go too sideways in this process, but there are a few gotchas to be on the lookout for. Check that you have easy access to the toilet's shutoff valve, and that the line running from the valve to the toilet tank is flexible. Empty the tank completely by flushing several times and holding down the lever. You might also need to soak up any remaining water with a large sponge or rag. Some water will probably leak out when the supply line is disconnected, even if you flush first.
The full tutorial also shows applying the supplied Teflon tape to the T adapter, which is missing from the TikTok version. He winds the tape on backwards on one leg of the adapter (it's challenging to demonstrate such things on camera), but this is unlikely to make any difference so long as the rubber/neoprene washers are present in all the fittings. If any are missing, stop and contact Luxe — or whatever other manufacturer — immediately for help. Otherwise, your whole bathroom is going to get sprayed with water, not just your nethers. To seat the fittings, hand-tighten, then use a wrench for an additional quarter-turn. Don't over-tighten these fittings! On the whole, these devices are simple and affordable, especially given how much it can cost to install a bidet.