4 tips for choosing a bidet: sizes, types, materials, manufacturers

In the 21st century in a civilized countryeverybody knowswhat is a bidet. This is not surprising, because for the first time it appeared back in the late 17th century in France. The bidet owes its name to the original configuration. It was a small narrow bath with small legs, on which it was necessary to sit on top and take water procedures, which is why it was called “bidet”, which means “little horse” in French. With the advent of sewage, the bath migrated from the bedroom to the toilet, and acquired the configuration to which we are accustomed. It remains only to figure out how to choose a bidet, because in terms of size, material of execution and other characteristics, these products may differ.

Not everyone thinks about the need to have a bidet in their bathroom. Most people prefer to use a standard set of plumbing: toilet, sink, bathroom or shower stall. Often they refuse a bidet due to the fact that they don’t even understand how to use it, and the dimensions of the apartment do not always allow installing an additional item in the bathroom. However, some, on the contrary, buy a bidet in order to emphasize their status, although they absolutely do not use it for its intended purpose.

Anyway bidet - a very useful thing, moreover, universal. Besides that his use for its intended purpose (for maintaining cleanliness intimate zones after visiting the toilet), they use it:

• people with disabilities, since it is physically easier for them to take water treatments with a bidet than to use a bath or shower;
• people with hemorrhoids, since maintaining the cleanliness of the intimate area is necessary, and the paper injures the affected areas, causing pain and inconvenience;
• for bathing, washing or washing hands small childrenOf course, in this case, the plumbing must be sterile;
• for foot wash.

If you are one of those people who care about family health and want personal hygiene to be comfortable and effective, we will help you make the right choice and understand the wide variety of bidets presented by manufacturers on the plumbing market.

What is a bidet?

Bidet with its appearance is very similar to the toilet. Therefore, it is recommended to buy these two plumbing units together in order to comply with one style. However, currently the range of plumbing is so wide that if you already have a toilet and you need to buy a bidet separately, then there will be no problems choosing the right model.

However, despite its similarity to the toilet, the bidet performs other functions and has its own design features:

• bowl, which, in fact, determines the similarity with the toilet;
• characteristic drainerwhich connects to sewer pipes;
• crane with mixer;

More expensive bidet options come with additional equipment:

• aerator;
• thermostat - for automatic adjustment of water temperature;
• drying;
• seat heater;
• deodorization;
• massage.

Some models are designed in such a way that a stream of water is supplied from a hole located in the center of the bowl.

Cap and seat in most cases a bidet is absent. In rare cases, you can find the presence of a cover, but it plays an exclusively decorative role.The seat is missing due to the fact that the bidet is washed with warm water, due to this, the design is warm and pleasant to the touch. Therefore, the use of a seat is not advisable.

I would also like to dwell on drain system. In a bidet, a sink is similar to an ordinary washbasin. The holes are automatically blocked by appropriate plugs, and the opening and closing of the drain occurs due to levers that are located near the mixer. Modern bidets are equipped with a flood protection system and in clogging case You don’t have to worry that water will spill over the edge. In some models, instead of a ceramic drain, a pipe is mounted.

Mixer for a bidet has its own design features. In order to regulate the flow direction of the water jet, at the very edge of the ball bend there is the so-called perlator. This device provides the convenience of using a bidet.

The water temperature can be adjusted either manually or set electronic mixerwhich delivers water of the right temperature automatically.

There is such a device asthermostatic battery, it allows you to maintain the optimal set temperature in the system. Sold and installed separately from the bidet. A very handy gadget if you want to make your life easier.

Types and sizes of bidets

Bidet takes up a lot of space. If you small bathroom and every centimeter of the area counts, you need to know exactly the parameters of the plumbing that you plan to install. In order to determine the dimensions, you need to figure out which bidets exist. All types can be divided into two categories:

• outdoor (output wiring pipes visible);
• outboard (output wiring pipes mounted in the wall);
• pushed to the wall (pipe wiring is mounted in the housing).

Outdoor bidet

Floor-mounted bidets inspire more consumer confidence than suspended bidets. They are believed to be safer and more familiar. Although this is a misconception, the performance of a suspended bidet is not inferior to a floor bidet, but the demand for floor bidets is much greater.

When buying a floor bidet noteto exhaust pipe direction coincided with the apartment sewer. Otherwise, the installation of the bidet will be very complicated, up to the point that it will not work at all. If everything is in order, the installation of the bidet will be the same as the installation of the toilet, and the connection of the mixer is similar to sink installation. In order for the floor bidet to be stable, it must be attached to the floor.

Floor Bidet Dimensions may vary slightly depending on the model chosen and the manufacturer’s company, but on average you can focus on the following parameters:

• height - 400 mm;
• depth - 520-560 mm;
• width - 330-400 mm.

Hanging bidet

Many people follow fashion trends, follow innovations and replace the usual floor sanitary with hanging. However, in some, especially fat people, a psychological block is triggered. It seems to them that suspended plumbing can not support a lot of weight, because they make a choice in favor of floor. But the technical specifications hanging plumbing show that shecapable of withstand weight up to 400 kg. Hanging plumbing, has some advantages over floor:

1. Simplification of wet cleaning.
2. Facilitating the process of replacing flooring during repairs.
3. There is no accumulation of water and dirt at the base of the plumbing.
4. Compact dimensions.
5. Stylish design.
6. Visually plumbing is lighter and not bulky.

With all the advantages of a hanging bidet, it should be noted that installing such a plumbing element requires much more financial investment than floor structures. A hanging bidet, like a toilet, is mounted on a metal frame, which is then covered with a decorative wall, which leads to additional costs.In addition, the mixer of the hanging bidet comes separately, unlike the floor, and also requires investment.

At choosing a mixer remember, that on a hanging bidet the number of holes for the mixer depends on the model and may be different. therefore pick up its worth strictly according to the number and location of holes on the plumbing shelf!

Concerning sizes of hanging bidetthen they are especially do not differ from floor. Their main parameters are the same. However installation takes up additional space and It has such parameters:

• depth - 131 mm;
• height - 820 mm;
• width - 500 mm.

 

Naturally, the models may differ, therefore, before making a purchase, it is necessary to clarify the parameters.

If the scale of your bathroom does not allow you to install a toilet and a bidet, various modern modifications will help to solve this issue.

Toilet bidet

This device performs the function of a toilet and a bidet, saving the space of your room. Nevertheless, the parameters of the toilet bidet are larger than the dimensions of a conventional toilet, and the cost is much higher.

Bidet cover

If the toilet bidet is very expensive for you, and the dimensions of the bathroom do not allow you to put a bidet, then an alternative may be a lid bidet. It looks like an ordinary toilet seat, but it is equipped with a water supply system and a mixer. To date, electronic bidet covers have gained great popularity.

 

These are more expensive models, as they have additional functions: automatic heating of water and seats, a hairdryer, smoothly raising and lowering the lid, hydromassage, lighting, cleaning and automation of air, etc. Installation of electronic covers is complicated by the fact that an additional connection to the mains is required. The cost depends on the number of functions.

Hygienic shower for the toilet

If you have very little space and a small budget, a great option would be hygienic toilet shower. It is installed on the wall, not far from the toilet. The flow rate and water temperature are controlled by a mixer, which is located either on the sink or separately. The shower itself can be built into the wall. Perhaps a thermostat to maintain the temperature of the water. With such a device, hygiene procedures will become much more pleasant, more affordable and will save your time.

Material bidet

Classical materials for making bidets are porcelain and sanitary ware, but more interesting specimens are also found:

1. Porcelain -burnt white clay. For strength, quartz and feldspar are added to the composition. The product is covered with glaze on top. Porcelain products are very similar in appearance to earthenware, but due to the fact that the material is less porous and hygroscopic, its service life increases, moreover, such a product is easier to clean. Therefore, the price of porcelain bidets is higher than earthenware.
2. Faience. Like porcelain, this material consists of white clay, though of a different sort. With the addition of the same components, it is fired and covered with a layer of glaze, which ensures its hygiene. However, the proportionality of faience and glaze components differ in the same way as firing technology. Glaze protects faience from moisture. Since faience well absorbs moisture, odors and dirt, as soon as the glaze begins to wear off, faience gradually collapses and it becomes more difficult to care for it. Such products are inexpensive, but their service life does not exceed 15-20 years.
3. Artificial and natural stone.Fairly common material. Natural stone is a very durable material and looks excellent. Artificial - has the same characteristics, but it costs much less, and the mass is much less.
4. Metal. Very rare material for making a bidet. It is cold to the touch, getting water causes a lot of noise, very expensive. Metal bidets are installed only in those rare cases when the design of the room is dictated by an exclusive bathroom.
5. Glass bidet. Very difficult to install, very expensive.It is also installed in exceptional cases when it is required by the interior design of the bathroom.

Bidet manufacturers

There are a lot of bidet manufacturers. Not to list all. Before making a purchase, it is better to make inquiries and read reviews online. We will only introduce manufacturers who are well established in the plumbing market and whose products are credible:

1. Geberit (Switzerland). It produces mainly porcelain bidets and bidets. Has a number of elite products. The products of this company have established themselves as durable and functional. Warranty 10 years.
2. Roca (Spain). Huge selection of diverse bidets. From the most expensive to budget options, with excellent quality of both. You can choose high-quality plumbing by any parameter.
3. Vitra (Turkey). Price - quality balanced. Wide range. Warranty 5-7 years.
4. Laufen (Switzerland). A wide range, reasonable prices.
5. Sanita (Russia). A wide model line, the range is constantly expanding and adding. The quality is high. Due to its location, prices are lower than those of European and Asian companies.
6. Cersanit (Poland). High quality, reasonable prices. Widely represented in the Russian market.
7. Izumi (Japan). Naturally, a wide selection of bidet covers. Very versatile products. Equipped with water filters and adapted to domestic operating conditions.
8. Jacob delafon (France). High quality, functionality. The peculiarity of this company is a variety of unusual shapes of products. The material of manufacture is porcelain, necessarily with an antibacterial coating. Prices are high.
9. Ideal standart (Germany). The products are financial, but the quality is high. Declare a service life of 45 to 50 years. Warranty period of 7 years.

Currently, plumbing manufacturers are focusing on the appearance of the bidet. When choosing plumbing, adhere to those parameters that are necessary for you. Indeed, in the huge assortment presented, you can easily get lost and buy absolutely not what is needed.