Today’s article covers different ways to increase bidet water pressure when it’s too low. We’ll be looking at the different issues that can cause low bidet pressure and what to do to fix each problem.
It’s a common question, much more so than bidets having excessive water pressure (though that can happen). As you’ll see further down in the article, the reason for low pressure may have to do with the bidet itself. This is especially true for electric seats. For more info, check out the article on the best high-pressure bidets.
Why Is My Bidet Water Pressure Too Low?
Causes of low bidet water pressure can range from the wrong spray setting (e.g., wide spray or soft cleanse) or a partially closed shutoff valve, to issues with the specific bidet (some are stronger than others). Also, clogged mesh filters and external water filters can lower bidet pressure.
So, if your bidet water pressure is too low, you’re not alone. The ideal pressure is really a matter of preference, so what might be uncomfortably strong for one person might be too weak for another.
So, let’s get right into it.
16 Ways to Increase Bidet Water Pressure
Fully Open the Toilet Shutoff Valve
It may be that the shutoff valve next to the toilet wasn’t opened all the way after the bidet was installed. If so, it’ll need to be opened all the way.
As discussed recently, some folks have an issue with excessive bidet water pressure, a pretty common problem with some non-electric bidets, and the first go-to solution is to partially close the shutoff valve on purpose.
Anyway, to keep water from going everywhere during the installation, the shutoff valve is closed all the way so the water hose can be removed from the fill valve on the toilet tank.
First, locate the fill valve.
Turn it counterclockwise until you reach the desired pressure.
Check for Hidden Leaks in the Water Supply
When there’s weak pressure at the bidet alone (and not other appliances), the issue can often be traced to a leak in the water supply hoses or fittings.
If it were a leak, you’d probably know because there would be water on the floor. But it’s a good idea to check, especially if you have a supply hose running underneath a sink (I.e., for warm water on non-electric bidets) as the leak could be hidden by the vanity.
Ensure the Adjustable T-Valve Isn’t Partially Closed
Using an adjustable T-valve is an easy way to control the water pressure coming out of the bidet.
Adjustable T-valves seem to be more common with handheld bidets but some toilet seat units have them.
As a refresher, the T-valve is the little contraption that attaches to the toilet tank, where it’s hooked up to the bidet and toilet water supply hoses.
Locate the T-valve and make sure it’s opened all the way.
See if the Mesh Filter Needs Cleaning
Note, the mesh filter is not the same as the large external water filter attached to some bidets. It’s a small filter that fits on the bidet inlet and cleans incoming water from the hose.
If you have weak pressure at the bidet but not at other appliances, the issue can usually be traced to a clogged filter.
Check the mesh water filter to see if it needs cleaning or replacing. The filter is located where the supply hose attaches to the bidet inlet.
The plug should look something like this.
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Models vary, but the procedure is usually as follows:
- Empty the toilet tank. Turn off the toilet shutoff valve by turning it clockwise (see the above image for what the valve looks like). Hold the flush lever down until the toilet tank empties.
- Unplug and remove the bidet. Unplug the bidet from the wall. Next, remove the seat from the toilet. Most bidets have quick-release mechanisms for easy cleaning. Locate and press the easy-release button (usually on the side of the unit) and remove the seat by sliding it off the mounting rack.
- Disconnect the bidet hose. Locate and disconnect the bidet water supply hose. You’ll probably want to use a towel or bucket to catch any water coming out of the hose.
- Remove the filter. Use a pair of needle-nose pliers or tweezers to remove the mesh filter from the water inlet.
- Clean the filter. Run the filter under tap water while scrubbing it with a toothbrush. Remove any gunk or buildup. It’s unlikely the case, but if it’s too far gone (it doesn’t seem to be getting cleaner) consider a new filter.
- Replace the filter(or put in the new one). Make sure it’s installed correctly (like the previous filter).
- Hook everything back up. Reconnect the bidet water hose and place the seat back on the mounting rack. Plug the cord in, and turn the shutoff valve back on.
Check The Water Supply Temp and Power Source
Some electric bidet models like the Omigo and Brondell Swash seats don’t allow higher water pressure levels (beyond level 2) if the water supply temp or power source are below a certain threshold.
To maximize the water pressure capabilities of an electric bidet, you’ll need a cold water supply of 50° F (10° C) or higher and a rated power source of at least 110V.
Unheated tap water in the US typically falls between ~40 to 70 F ̊ (4.4° to 21° C) depending on location and time of year.
If your water supply falls below 50° F, you may want to try a different bidet. See solutions x and x.
Ensure an External Water Filter Isn’t Slowing it Down
Using an external (usually aftermarket) water filter can drastically reduce the water pressure. The pressure going into the filter is much higher than the pressure coming out. For this reason, external filters are more common on electric bidets, because electric models propel water with a motor after the water is heated and filtered.
But for reasons of hygiene, a lot of folks outfit their attachments, non-electric seats, and handheld sprayers with water filters which lower the water pressure significantly, because the bidet can no longer take full advantage of the home’s water pressure.
If you want to use a filter, I’d go with an electric seat. Tap water is supposed to be clean, but it depends on the quality of the water treatment in a given location. If you live in an area where the drinking water is questionable, look into getting an electric seat with a filter.
Using clean water is especially important for certain populations like women and older adults.
Ensure the Right Pressure Setting Is Selected
Make sure the water pressure setting isn’t set to a low level. Using the wrong setting is more common with electric bidets because their remote controls and side panels are usually more complicated.
Some bidets, even luxury seats, have pretty simple remotes and panels, but I’ve seen some that look like something out of a flight simulator.
Most electric bidets have 3-5 pressure settings to choose one. I find a setting you like, most bidets allow for user presets which are pre-saved settings for temperature, wand position, and pressure.
Ensure the Bidet Isn’t on the Wrong Setting
For example, some TOTO seats have a “rear soft cleansing mode” that provides a soft “embracing” water flow.
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Soft mode is pretty common and it can easily be selected on accident.
Some bidets have soft spray modes that aren’t labeled as such. For example, some Brondell models have a sitz bath mode, that sprays warm low-pressure water for a longer period of time.
That’s just an example, and soft spray modes go by many labels so make sure you’re familiar with all of the modes on your bidet.
Use a Narrower Spray Width
First, make sure the wide spray mode isn’t selected.
A wide spray width is a common culprit of low bidet pressure. Sometimes the user unknowingly selects the wide spray mode or chooses it without considering its effect on water pressure.
Using a wider spray has some advantages. For example, you get wider coverage, a massage-like effect, and there’s less reliance on strength and coordination for body positioning, which is great for those with limited mobility.
But wide cleaning modes provide less precision and a weaker spray that may not be as targeted and effective.
Also, check to see if any narrower spray settings exist for your bidet. They often go by different names like “vortex mode”. Some bidets offer a vortex water stream that’s stronger and narrower to penetrate the sphincters to relieve constipation.
That’s just one example. I’m sure there are other spray modes that use an extra-narrow stream.
Check for Additional Spray Modes
Maybe the default spray pattern on your bidet just isn’t cutting it for you, but that other spray modes are available. This would be great because it would mean that you don’t need a different bidet.
Some electric bidets offer an extra-strong spray setting that’s meant for deep and thorough cleaning sessions. Some settings might be stronger even if they’re not labeled as such and if you find one that’s comfortable, you can use it by default (i.e., you don’t have to use it for whatever niche purpose it was meant for).
See If the Spray Head Needs Adjusting (Handheld Sprayers)
If you have an adjustable handheld sprayer like the Brondell CleanSpa CS-30, it may have wider/softer settings available.
Most handheld bidets aren’t adjustable, so this probably isn’t the issue, but I want to cover all of the bases.
With adjustable sprayers, you can narrow the spray width which will raise the water pressure, making it stronger and more concentrated.
Check Your Bidet’s Output Pressure
If the above solutions don’t apply, it’s time to start investigating your bidet. If the pressure is too low, the first thing you need to do is determine whether if it’s an issue with the bidet itself, or if you’d be better suited with a different type of bidet.
First, I’d check the water pressure specs for your current bidet if available.
In the manual, it’ll look something like this:
Not to be confused with “supply pressure”.
Keep these tips in mind.
- Check the owner’s manual and manufacturer’s website. Info on water pressure isn’t always available. Owner’s manuals list most of the info related to the features offered by a specific bidet, but the output water pressure is often left out.
- Ignore the “supply pressure” specs. See second image just above. Most bidet manuals and spec sheets list the water supply pressure. It refers to the pressure needs of the water going into the bidet, not the pressure of the water coming out of the wand. The specs for the supply pressure usually range between 10 and 100 PSI.
- Ask the manufacturer if you have to. If you can’t find it in the manual, contact the manufacturer with the model number of your bidet to see what the output pressure is.
- Check user reviews. Check out the user reviews and search for “water pressure” to see if there are any complaints. Sometimes the pressure varies greatly between models put out by the same brand. For example, Alpha bidets have seats that are known for both high and low pressure.
Consider a Non-Electric Bidet
One of the most common causes of low bidet pressure occurs when the bidet is working as intended: the user is underwhelmed by the pressure offered by the bidet.
When researching, you may have found that your model seems to be average for bidets of its kind (pressure-wise) and that complaints of low pressure are uncommon. If that’s the case, you may need to try a non-electric bidet.
Electric bidets have the most features, but they provide a lower water pressure than their non-electric cousins. The pressure put out by electric seats is usually sufficient, but some folks prefer the extra-strong stream characteristic of handheld sprayers, non-electric seats, and bidet attachments.
The difference in water pressure between electric and non-electric bidets isn’t huge, but it is significant. If you’re using an electric seat, it may be that the water pressure just isn’t to your liking.
Non-electric bidets work off of the home’s water pressure, so the PSI of the water coming out of the bidet nozzle matches that of other bathroom fixtures—about 80 PSI (sometimes higher).
Electric seats, especially those put out by TOTO and Brondell, are plenty strong enough for most (and effective for cleaning), but probably insufficient for folks who like the feel of a strong jet stream.
Don’t get me wrong, some electric seats spray at pretty high pressures, so it varies from model to model.
But on average, water pressure tends to be lower on electric seats because they use a small motor to propel water through the wand.
Electric seats heat and filter the water before sending it through the nozzle, so they’re unable to make use of the home’s water pressure.
High-tech seats do offer a ton of features, so first I’d search for an electric bidet with a higher pressure. If you can’t find one, you may want to consider a bidet attachment or handheld sprayer.
Which brings us to the next point.
Consider a Higher-Pressured Electric Bidet (Stronger Motor, Aerated Stream, Etc.)
After researching your current bidet, you may have found that your particular model has a lower-than-average pressure or frequent complaints of low-pressure. If so, higher-pressured electric seats are available, so you may not need to switch to a non-electric unit.
If you’re like me, it would be hard to go back to using a manual bidet after getting used to the warm air dryer, warm water cleanse, heated seats, and self-sterilizing nozzles (Silvernado and Ewater technology), provided by electric seats.
Features to look for:
- Aerated water streams. Some features influence the water pressure offered by a bidet. For example, aerated water streams incorporate air into the nozzle. Aerated faucets make an appliance more energy-efficient because less water is needed—which is why the WaterSense label requires appliances to have a faucet aerator. One side effect of aerating a faucet is that you get a stronger water pressure (source: Bob Villa).
- Extra spray settings. Look for bidets with hard/thorough spray modes. Hard wash modes go by many labels but the product description page should indicate when a spray setting is extra strong.
- Mentions of strong water pressure in user reviews. Some bidets have stronger water propulsion technology and when a certain model is extra strong, it’s usually mentioned in the reviews.
Check for Water Failure in Your Area
If water failure is the problem, then you probably know by now, but it’s worth looking into. If there’s a service interruption, the water pressure in your neighborhood will be affected.
While unlikely, I want to mention it as a potential issue for good measure.
If there is an outage, stop the bidet for now and try again when the government or local utility deal with the problem.
Check for Issues with the Home’s Water Pressure
Anything acutely affecting your home’s water pressure will affect the bidet output. Here, I’m referring to issues within the home that don’t relate to a service interruption.
Potential problems include:
- A broken pressure regulator: buildings have water pressure regulators to help stabilize the pressure by keeping it within a set range. A bad regulator can result in both high and low water pressure.
- Clogged pipes: if the water feeding the toilet becomes clogged, flow to the toilet and bidet will slow down.
- Corroded plumbing: piping can get corroded over time, causing the home’s water pressure to drop.
Check the pressure at other appliances in the house. If there’s an issue, you’ll know that there’s a problem upstream of the bidet. If that’s the case, you may want to outsource the job to a plumber.
Clogs are usually fixed by replacing or cleaning out small sections of piping, something best left to a professional unless you have experience.
If it’s the pressure regulator, it may just need adjustment. Just tighten the screw clockwise to increase the pressure. Check out this resource for more info.
Conclusion
So, there you have it.
Low bidet water pressure can be easy to fix (changing the spray setting or opening a valve) or inherent to the bidet. You might have a particularly weak model or prefer the pressure provided by non-electric bidets. Clogged inlet filters are often the cause, as are external filters (clean or not).
I hope you can resolve the problem without needing a completely new bidet. Thankfully, several of the issues mentioned are easy to fix.
But it’s possible your bidet is known for being extra soft and has user complaints to show for it. If so, it’s not a big deal. Since you’re just looking into the issue, you probably haven’t had yours very long so there’s a good chance it’s still under warranty.
Getting a new bidet doesn’t always mean upgrading or paying more for a model that has tons of features you don’t want or need. Some models are stronger than others and there doesn’t seem to be a relationship between bidet price and water pressure.
Finding the water pressure for a bidet you’re looking to get isn’t always easy, because the output pressure usually isn’t mentioned on the spec sheets or product pages.
For whatever reason, supply pressure is usually listed, but the PSI of the nozzle output is usually left out. Hence, you usually have to ask the manufacturer.
User reviews are also helpful. Looking for certain features is useful (an aerated stream, etc.), but nothing beats checking out the reviews. So many factors determine the output pressure (the wand design, number/size of holes), so trying to guess based on the product page isn’t as helpful as you’d think.