The bidet is an essential bathroom item in many parts of the world, particularly in Europe and Asia.
Living as an expat in Dubai, UAE for a period, it was common to see a standalone bidet right next to a dual-flush toilet at our accommodation. FYI, most of the time I used the bidet to wash under my armpits.
However, as with all bathroom appliances, bidets can often develop issues that need to be addressed.
Here, I will share five of the most common problems people experience with bidet attachments, and how to go about fixing them.
Many of these issues can be solved by yourself using simple tools that’s lying around at home and following some troubleshooting steps provided here, but contacting professional help is almost always the safest and most efficient choice.
Leaking
If there’s one issue with your bidet attachment that you’re almost guaranteed to experience at some point, its leakage.
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You’ll usually notice your bidet attachments leaking from one of two areas: the hose or the connectors. If you’re lucky, the cause is nothing more than these components loosening over time; in which case, all you need to do is tighten them by hand or using a wrench. (when tightening connections with a wrench, make sure not to overtighten, because you could strip the thread inside the connector)
A leaking hose or connector on older bidets might be caused by years of wear and tear paired with poor maintenance that has caused them to degrade. In these cases, you could use plumbers’ tape as a quick fix until a replacement part can be purchased and installed.
If you notice that your bidet is leaking from somewhere other than its attachments, such as its base or main unit, then you’ll want to reach out to its manufacturer or a professional plumber.
This type of leakage usually occurs when the bidet has been incorrectly installed or a larger problem needs to be addressed by a specialist.
The Interior Nozzle Or Hose Attachment Wont’ Spray
One of the bidet’s most effective and sought-after features is its built-in nozzle that users can activate for a thorough cleanse after using the facilities.
Unfortunately, users occasionally find that these components refuse to spray water for whatever reason, even when activated manually or electronically via a remote control.
The first thing you’ll want to check when you notice this issue is if there are any visible signs of build-up or blockages that could be clogging the nozzle or individual openings in your hose attachment.
If so, you’ll want to remove and/or clean these pieces before testing them again. In the event that the issue remains, use the following troubleshooting methods:
- Ensure the water tank is filled before activation.
- Ensure the shut off valve is not enabled.
- Ensure there are no signs of freezing within the main unit or pipe system.
Another less common explanation might be that your bidet’s water supply is being directed to more demanding systems or appliances, such as a shower or washing machine. Check to see if these are operating when the attachments aren’t spraying water and test if the supply returns once they’re off.
Inadequate Water Pressure
Most bidets, particularly those installed in private facilities or homes, are equipped with a range of water pressure options to ensure that the user experiences a thorough, relaxing and comfortable clean.
A common issue people experience here is that they notice their hose or nozzle’s water pressure is much weaker than usual. The easiest fix here would be to check your bidet’s settings and ensure it isn’t on a lower pressure setting than you assumed.
Once you’ve confirmed that your setting isn’t the culprit, check the strainer to make sure it isn’t clogged and look over the entire system for signs of leaking.
You might also want to check other water-reliant facilities in the building to guarantee that water failure isn’t the cause.
If none of these seem to solve the issue, and this is a brand-new bidet that was professionally installed, you might want to check the flow rate listed in the bidet’s manual. Anything significantly less than 0.26 gal (1L) per minute is an inherently weak output.
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Another issue people commonly experience is inadequate water pressure. This can be caused by a faulty water supply line, clogged valves, or even a worn out nozzle. To ensure a strong and consistent water pressure, it is important to regularly check the water supply lines and nozzle for any blockages or damage.
Inadequate Temperature Control
Water and seat temperature control are luxuries you immediately notice when using a modern bidet attachment, which means you also immediately notice when they stop working properly.
Again, the first thing you’ll want to do when you notice your bidet attachment is producing water of an irregular temperature is to check your settings and make sure that it’s turned on, and the proper temperature has been selected (you might want to choose a high temperature for testing purposes).
After you’ve confirmed that the controls aren’t to blame, examine the bidet’s water heater for obvious signs of damage to be addressed by a professional.
Unfortunately, unless your home was simply experiencing issues with producing hot water at the time, the most likely cause now would be improper installation, the bidet is in a cold environment, or the user’s expectations are too high.
Unpleasant Smells
Many people wrongly assume that bidets are less sanitary than the standard toilet because of their various attachments and settings that might come into contact with human waste and other contaminants. On the contrary, these fixtures are often praised for being sanitary and eco-friendly.
But if that’s the case, then why do so many bidet owners complain that their attachments emit some of the most unpleasant smells?
The answer is almost always a lack of regular cleaning and maintenance.
Some highly modern and luxurious bidet models include self-cleaning features. However, not only are these uncommon in the average restroom or home, but they also don’t mean that the owner never has to clean the bidet themselves.
Bidets, like any toilet, need to be cleaned and deodorized regularly, this includes all of their attachments.
The process can be as simple as spraying a cloth or paper towel with vinegar or a mild household detergent that you then use to wipe the entire unit and leave to air dry.
While this will be effective for quick, weekly or even daily wipe-downs, you’ll want to give your attachments a more thorough clean once a month. This should include removing and cleaning their covers, scrubbing nozzle holes, etc.
Final Thoughts
Even the most modern, high-quality bidet models are bound to experience an issue or two throughout its many years of use.
Hopefully, you experience one of the more common issues listed above that tend to be easily fixed with professional help.
Of course, if at any point you realize that your bidet’s issue is beyond your experience or seems extensive, you’ll want to contact a specialist plumber or the bidet’s manufacturer for assistance.