Quick Answer: What Is a Bidet and Do You Need One?
A bidet is a bathroom fixture, either standalone or integrated into a toilet, that uses water to clean after using the toilet, offering an alternative or complement to toilet paper. UK adoption has grown steadily in recent years, driven by hygiene, comfort, and sustainability reasons, with options ranging from simple attachments costing under £50 through to fully integrated smart toilets costing over £1,000.
Types of Bidets
Standalone Bidets
A separate fixture installed alongside the toilet, traditional in many European bathrooms, requiring its own plumbing connection and floor space. This is the least common option in UK homes given the additional space and plumbing needed.
Bidet Attachments
A low cost, easily fitted device that attaches to your existing toilet seat or sits between the seat and bowl, connecting to the toilet’s water supply to provide a cleaning spray without needing a separate fixture.
Bidet Toilet Seats
A replacement toilet seat with integrated bidet functionality, offering more features than a basic attachment, such as adjustable water pressure, temperature control, and sometimes a heated seat, while still fitting onto a standard toilet.
Smart/Integrated Bidet Toilets
A fully integrated unit combining the toilet and bidet functions in one piece, often with advanced features like automatic lid opening, air drying, and deodorising, representing the premium end of the market.
Bidet Options Compared
| Type | Typical Cost | Installation | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bidet attachment | £30 to £100 | DIY, fits most toilets | Basic water spray, no electricity needed |
| Bidet toilet seat | £100 to £400 | DIY or simple professional fit | Adjustable pressure, temperature, sometimes heated seat |
| Standalone bidet | £150 to £500 plus plumbing | Professional, needs new plumbing | Traditional separate fixture |
| Smart integrated toilet | £600 to £2,000+ | Professional | Full automation, drying, deodorising |
Do You Need Plumbing Changes for a Bidet?
Bidet attachments and most bidet toilet seats connect directly to your existing toilet water supply using a simple T-valve connector, requiring no new plumbing work. Standalone bidets and some premium integrated units need a dedicated water supply and sometimes drainage connection, which does require professional plumbing installation.
Are Bidet Attachments Legal in the UK? Water Regulations Explained
Here is the question most bidet guides skip, and it matters: a cheap bidet spray hose bought online can breach UK water regulations. Understanding the rules takes five minutes and keeps your installation compliant.
The Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999 treat a bidet spray as a Fluid Category 5 risk. That is the highest contamination category, covering human waste. The concern is backflow: if mains pressure drops, contaminated water could be drawn back into the drinking water supply. Fittings connected to a bidet spray must therefore have proper backflow protection, such as a Type AB air gap or a break tank arrangement.
The problem is that many inexpensive spray hoses and attachments sold online have no such protection and no UK testing. Simple check valves or pipe interrupters are not considered adequate for Category 5 risk. Installing one can count as an illegal installation, and the liability sits with the homeowner, not the seller. Water undertakers can require non-compliant fittings to be removed and can impose penalties.
The practical answer is straightforward: buy products with WRAS approval (Water Regulations Approval Scheme). WRAS-approved bidet seats and douche sets have been tested against the regulations, and the approval directory lists compliant models. Reputable UK bathroom brands sell WRAS-approved bidet seats with the correct air gap built in. They cost more than a £30 online hose, but they are legal.
One more rule: the regulations require you to notify your water undertaker before installing a bidet with an ascending spray or flexible hose. In practice many homeowners skip this step, but for a fully compliant installation, notification is the correct move, and your undertaker will confirm any conditions.
| Feature | Compliant installation | Non-compliant installation |
|---|---|---|
| Product | WRAS-approved bidet seat or douche set | Cheap untested hose from a marketplace |
| Backflow protection | Type AB air gap or break tank | None, or check valve only |
| Notification | Water undertaker notified | Not notified |
| Liability risk | None | Removal order and possible penalties |
Benefits of Using a Bidet
- Improved hygiene compared to toilet paper alone for many users
- Reduced toilet paper consumption, offering both cost savings and environmental benefit
- Added comfort, particularly valued by those with mobility limitations or certain health conditions
- Reduced risk of irritation for people with sensitive skin or certain dermatological conditions
Electric vs Non-Electric Bidets
Non-electric bidet attachments use only your home’s existing water pressure and require no power source, making them simpler to install and typically more affordable. Electric bidet seats offer additional features like heated water, warm air drying, and heated seats, but need a nearby power socket and generally cost more both upfront and to run.
Installing a Bidet Attachment: What to Expect
- Turn off the water supply to the toilet before starting
- Remove the existing toilet seat
- Fit the T-valve connector to the toilet’s water supply line
- Attach the bidet unit according to the manufacturer’s instructions
- Refit the toilet seat over the bidet attachment and turn the water supply back on
Most bidet attachments can be fitted within 30 to 60 minutes by a confident DIYer with basic tools, without needing a plumber.
Choosing the Right Bidet for Your Bathroom
- Limited budget or renting: A basic non-electric bidet attachment offers the lowest cost, easiest installation option
- Wanting more comfort features: A bidet toilet seat with adjustable settings offers a good mid-range balance
- Full bathroom renovation: A smart integrated toilet or standalone bidet suits a premium new bathroom fit-out
- Accessibility needs: Electric bidet seats with automated features can offer meaningful support for users with limited mobility
Frequently Asked Questions
Can any toilet have a bidet attachment fitted?
Most standard toilets can accommodate a bidet attachment or bidet toilet seat, though it is worth checking the specific product’s compatibility with your toilet’s seat fixing points and water supply connection before purchase.
Do bidets use a lot of water?
Bidet water usage is generally modest per use, and many households find the reduction in toilet paper consumption offsets the water use from both a cost and environmental perspective.
Are electric bidet seats expensive to run?
Electric bidet seats use a small amount of electricity for water heating and any additional features like seat warming or air drying, generally adding a modest amount to household energy bills.
Can you fit a bidet attachment yourself?
Yes, most bidet attachments and bidet toilet seats are designed for straightforward DIY installation using basic tools, typically taking under an hour to fit.
Is a bidet more hygienic than toilet paper?
Many users and some health professionals consider bidets more hygienic than toilet paper alone, though personal preference plays a significant role, and either can be part of good bathroom hygiene practice.
Bidet Water Regulation FAQs
Are bidet attachments legal in the UK?
Yes, provided they comply with the Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999. The spray must have proper backflow protection for Fluid Category 5 risk. Cheap untested hoses without it can be deemed illegal installations.
What is WRAS approval and why does it matter for bidets?
WRAS (Water Regulations Approval Scheme) certifies that a plumbing product meets UK water regulations. For bidets, it confirms the product has adequate backflow protection. Buying WRAS-approved is the simplest way to stay compliant.
Do I need to tell my water company before fitting a bidet?
The regulations require notification to your water undertaker before installing a bidet with an ascending spray or flexible hose. They will confirm whether any conditions apply to your installation.
Will a check valve make my bidet hose compliant?
No. Simple check valves and pipe interrupters are not considered adequate protection against Fluid Category 5 contamination risk. Compliant products use a Type AB air gap or break tank arrangement instead.
What happens if my bidet installation is non-compliant?
Your water undertaker can require you to remove or replace the fitting, and penalties are possible. Liability falls on the homeowner, so it is worth buying a compliant product from the start.
Expert Insight
Bathroom fitters report a steady rise in bidet attachment and bidet seat installations across UK homes over recent years, often linked to broader interest in sustainable living and reduced toilet paper consumption, alongside general comfort and hygiene preferences.
Final Thoughts
Bidets have moved from a niche European bathroom fixture to an increasingly mainstream choice in UK homes, helped by affordable, easy to install attachment options that need no professional plumbing work. Choosing between a simple attachment, a featured toilet seat, or a full integrated unit comes down to budget, desired features, and whether you are renovating from scratch or upgrading an existing bathroom.
Considering a bidet? Start with a basic non-electric attachment if you are unsure about the switch, since it offers the lowest cost, no-commitment way to try a bidet before investing in a premium featured option.
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Written by the HometoWorld editorial team, covering home improvement, renovation, and property maintenance across the UK.
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