A bidet is certainly a wonderful addition to your bathroom. However, if it starts leaking, it can lead to a big headache. Most people aren’t sure exactly how to fix a leaking bidet and worry that it will cost them a lot of time and money to handle.
To fix a bidet that is leaking, follow these steps:
- Turn off the water going to the bidet
- If it is a standalone bidet, check the drain, strainer, and hoses for leaks
- If it is a seat bidet, check the hoses and nozzle for leaks
- Clean the strainer and drain, then refit the hoses with plumbers tape
Following these steps can help you find the source of the bidet leak and get it fixed.
Let’s look at the exact things you need to do in each step so you can fix a bidet that is leaking on your own, without the costly repair bill or a mess of water all over the place.
Steps to Help You Fix a Leaking Bidet
If your bidet starts to leak, it can make quite a mess. Learning how to stop the leak and fix it quickly is one of the best ways to avoid a future headache. However, there is a difference when it comes to standalone bidets and bidet toilet seats or bidet toilet addons. We’ll cover how to troubleshoot each.
Fix a Leaking Standalone Bidet
Standalone bidets are exactly what they sound like—a separate porcelain throne which is only a bidet and nothing else. If you have one of these, let’s cover how to troubleshoot a leak.
Turn the Water Source Off
Always turn the source of water off before you do anything with the bidet. It is easy to forget this, but once you start moving things around, you may end up with water right in the face and all over the floor.
There are usually two ways to turn off the water source:
- Turn the valve connected to the toilet off. This will only turn the water attached to the toilet and bidet off. The water in the rest of the home will still be on.
- Turn off the main water valve for the whole home. You will not be able to use the sink or any other water source in the home, but it adds an extra layer of safety. It is fine if you choose just to turn the water off to the toilet.
Once the water is off, it is time to get to work.
Flush the bidet a few times until all the visible water is gone to make the next steps easier.
Take a Look at the Drain
After you are sure the water is turned off, it is time to check the drain. This is where most leaking will come from on a bidet. If something is stuck inside the drain, water can’t get through and will overflow. Hopefully, nothing ever gets stuck there—but over time, little particles and debris can build up in the bidet drain and can cause a leak.
If you take a look at the drain that goes to your bidet, you will notice that there is a T-pipe connection that puts the bidet together with the toilet. If this pipe gets clogged, it is possible the water will not get through and can cause the water to go where it shouldn’t.
To check for clogs in the drain:
- Remove the pipe. You will need two wrenches to help with this. Use one to hold the top nut in place while you unscrew the bottom lock nut.
- Once the pipe is loose, you can clean it out. You may be able to see the obstruction easily. If not, use a wire brush to help clean the entire length out.
- Put the pipe back by securing the nut in place again. Use plumber’s tape and tighten down generously to avoid a future leak there.
Make sure that you clean the pipe out well before putting everything back together. If you leave something behind, it may cause another leak and you are right back where you started.
Tighten the nut and pipe back on well too.
Clean Out the Strainer
You may need to also take a look at the strainer and see whether it is cleaned out or not. If there is a lot of debris left in the strainer, it can cause damage to the whole system.
Make sure you have a strainer that is right for your bidet. This is the best way to ensure that the bidet will work properly. As you attach the new strainer, add some extra caulk around the edges. This will help ensure that the water will not leak after you add in the new replacement.
Check Out the Supply Hose
The next thing to check is the faucet on the bidet. The hose that supplies water to the bidet may get loose as time goes on. You should take a look at the hose and see if anything shows up:
- Check all the joints to see whether any leaks are showing up there. Look for kinks in the hose, too, as those can quickly lead to a leak.
- When you find a leak, use some plumbers tape to help close up the hose. For small leaks, a well-executed application of some plumber’s tape can fix it. This is a cheap and easy way to stop the leak.
- If you see more than one or two areas where you need to add plumber’s tape, this is a sign that the hose is too old and you need to replace it.
Fixing a Leaking Toilet Seat Bidet
Toilet seat bidets are another popular option. The steps to fix this type of bidet are luckily much simpler!
The difficulty of the repair will often depend on where the leak is happening from in the first place.
The two main places where leaking will occur on your toilet seat bidet include:
- The nozzle area
- The water supply hose and its connections
If you notice water coming from the nozzle area, the most likely issue is the bowl is not attached securely to the mounting bracket. When you install the seat should slide itself into the bracket, which helps it lock in place.
As you hook this in place, there is a release button present that helps drain water out of the bidet. If the seat is not put on properly, the water will leak out through the nozzle instead of the seat.
You can check the mounting by:
- Take the bidet seat off its bracket.
- Hold the seat release button, making sure the seat is forward a few inches.
- If this stops the dripping, then this was the main cause and it is fixed.
- Place the seat on the brackets properly this time to help with proper draining later.
If you do this and the dripping continues, there is more likely an internal issue you need to look at. Also, if there isn’t a release drainage button with the seat and the leaking happens from the nozzle, you may need to contact the manufacturer of your seat for help.
Fixing Your Leaking Bidet
When you notice that your bidet is leaking, it is important to react quickly. This can help you catch the problem and fix it before things get worse.
To fix a bidet that is leaking, simply:
- Turn the water off
- Check the drain to see if it is clogged
- Look at the strainer and clean it out.
- Check the faucet and the hose to see if there is leaking.
As you go through these steps, you can check to see whether the leak is there or if you need to check somewhere else. With a little bit of research and maintenance on the bidet, you can get it all back up and running without any more leaking.