Bidet / toilet question, oh my! Helping an old relative

[SoftwareEng]

I'm just gonna dive right in.

I'm helping to take care of my very old grandfather who can't quite reach "back there" and clean himself after a toilet visit, and I don't want him to get sores or an infection. I'd like to buy him a BIDET (you know, what they've been using for ages in Asia and Europe).

A "manual" non-electric model is pretty cheaper (under $70) and I'm on a budget. This takes two "input" hoses: a hot water and cold water hoses, and they are mixed to your comfort setting. But I'm very concerned: what if the cold water is cut off (e.g. building maintenance, outage, etc.), will the bidet burn you with just the hot water supplied?

Help me out if you have this type of "hot water" non-electric bidet and you know if there's a safety feature. Also, if you have any recommendations or feedback in general, let me know! (e.g. accidental misses, splashing out, difficulty of cleaning, etc).

Much thanks, and stay healthy. 🙏

 

[Captante]

If I'm not mistaken there's an entire thread dedicated to the discussion of the pros and cons of various bidets.

Search is still pretty terrible but it's worth a look ... sorry all I've got I still use baby-wipes personally lol.




EDIT: Also mad respect ... I took care of my elderly mom for a few years and it was not easy but I would do it again in a heartbeat.

 

[Kaido]

I have a Bio Bidet 6800 from Costco. They're usually $400, on sale for $199 until 3/14:

https://www.costco.com/bio-bidet-uspa-6800-luxury-bidet-seat.product.100015779.html

It's a little pricey but it's 100% worth the money! Rode out the TP shortage no problem lol. Has a remote control, warm water, just needs to tap into the water line (not dependent on a hot water line, it's electrically heated) & a plug nearby. Make sure to select either round or elongated for seat shape.

 

[sswingle]

My concern would be more like, will the water ever be warm in the first place and not freezing cold. Example: go to the bathroom sink and turn on full hot water. Do you actually have hot water or do you need to wait for it? Same thing will happen with the bidet.

I also can't really think of an example where cold water would be cut off but hot water still works.

 

[deadlyapp]

I've never heard of one with a hot water line. Not to mention, you would never have a hot water line run to your toilet already, which means running another line either from the sink or elsewhere.

Spend the money, get one with an electric heater and temperature control.

 

[brianmanahan]

bio bidet 600 is electric and has its own built-in water tank and heater, so you don't need a hot water line

 

[snoopy7548]

bio bidet 600 is electric and has its own built-in water tank and heater, so you don't need a hot water line

Can you fill the tank with liquids other than water?

 

[WelshBloke]

Can you fill the tank with liquids other than water?

Hot vodka enema?

 

[MtnMan]

@SoftwareEng

Bottom Buddy Toileting Aid :: personal hygiene handle

www.arthritissupplies.com

My wife had spinal fusion surgery many years ago, a full fiberglass shell she had to wear for 6 weeks limited her reach to the neither regions. Neither of us enjoyed the aforementioned tasks.

The local health supply place had the above. It worked great, and we were both happier.

The next re-check visit to the surgeon, who had explained before surgery all the limitations she would have for a while, never mentioned this aspect. WOW, she let him have it with both barrels, and told him he needed to add this to the list of things patients would need, along with the walker that she needed for a period.

 

[DigDog]

.. americans...


we CIVILIZED people who do not like skidmarks on our fancy european underwear have mastered the sacred art of the bidet, so here is what you should know.

1. yes, they have a hot water line. It comes out of a mixer faucet, two individual knobs, so you can set whatever temp is appropriate for your delicate poopchute. In the event that the hot water runs out, please do not use the bidet MOVE TO A COUNTRY WHERE HOT WATER DOES NOT RUN OUT.
2. electronic bidets are an abomination.
A simple, as god intended bidet should be as such:

Amazon.it sells bidets for 80 EUR, if you're paying hundreds, you're getting ripped off.

Somehow, i feel that i need to specify that you would lay this next to the toilet. It drains down the same pipe, take water from the same tubes as the sink does. They are bolted down permanently, and AFAIK, unless tragedy strikes, are immortal.
3. you do not need a special spout to direct water up your browneye. However, should you happen to be of that persuasion, then yeah, why not. Keep in mind that we partly fill it, wash, and drain. We do not need a turbojet to cleans years on encrustment - YMMV.



.. less guns .. more bidets.

 

[brianmanahan]

meh, i'll take a fancy japanese electronic bidet over that old fashioned european toilet + faucet contraption

it's a waste of space to have a bidet separate from the toilet

and also i might not be able to switch between the two without... leaving a trail

 

[Fritzo]

We have the simple bidets with only cold water and honestly they work great. The cold water isn't really that big of a deal unless you keep the stream on for a long time. Only bad point is no dryer, so you have to use high-grade toilet paper to dry off (if you use cheap stuff it's going to dissolve and you won't be happy). I liked the design of this bidet so much that I installed them in all 3 toilets in our house:

https://www.amazon.com/Luxe-Bidet-Neo-120-Non-Electric/dp/B00JG2DETM/ref=pd_lpo_60_t_2/132-6831349-7603414

3 months later and my family only likes to go #2 at home

 

[MrSquished]

I have a Bio Bidet 6800 from Costco. They're usually $400, on sale for $199 until 3/14:

https://www.costco.com/bio-bidet-uspa-6800-luxury-bidet-seat.product.100015779.html

It's a little pricey but it's 100% worth the money! Rode out the TP shortage no problem lol. Has a remote control, warm water, just needs to tap into the water line (not dependent on a hot water line, it's electrically heated) & a plug nearby. Make sure to select either round or elongated for seat shape.

Interesting. I have to start reading reviews, I've been thinking of getting one sooner than later and I am a Costco member. Did you compare this one to a lot of others?

 

[brianmanahan]

Interesting. I have to start reading reviews, I've been thinking of getting one sooner than later and I am a Costco member. Did you compare this one to a lot of others?

there's one thing with the bio bidet models like that one - due to the water tank in the back, they make your toilet seat length less than it normally is

i like mine, but it made my elongated bowl/seat feel like a regular length seat

i don't think i'd like it if my toilet was a round bowl/seat instead of an elongated bowl/seat model

other add-on bidets that don't heat water in a tank, or use a separate hot water line, don't seem to shorten the seat length like this

 

[MrSquished]

there's one thing with the bio bidet models like that one - due to the water tank in the back, they make your toilet seat length less than it normally is

i like mine, but it made my elongated bowl/seat feel like a regular length seat

i don't think i'd like it if my toilet was a round bowl/seat instead of an elongated bowl/seat model

other add-on bidets that don't heat water in a tank, or use a separate hot water line, don't seem to shorten the seat length like this

So it takes away seat space from the back? That might be a problem with mine, it's a low flow toilet. When you crap in it, you just gotta sit towards the back, and then you won't leave skid marks. If you sit too far forward, skid marks happen.

Also does it have to be plugged in for the heating element to work or does it work on a battery?

 

[Kaido]

Interesting. I have to start reading reviews, I've been thinking of getting one sooner than later and I am a Costco member. Did you compare this one to a lot of others?

Basically, bidets come in 3 types:

1. Basic (cold water, with a knob...avoid like the plague) $
2. Decent (warm water, wireless remote) $$
3. Ridiculous (self-cleaning, motorized lid, etc.) $$$

The 6800 model is nice for a few reasons:

1. It goes on sale for $200 to $250 (vs. $400 to $600). Still expensive but not like PS5 expensive lol.
2. It has a blue LED nightlight, super handy for midnight runs!
3. You can set the temp of the water (water-line, warm, hot)
4. The seat is heated (can turn on/off)
5. You can attach it aftermarket to any round (or elongated) toilet you want (no special $2,000 Toto-whatever required!)
6. You can adjust the position of the water spout, as well as the speed & pulse of the water
7. It does have a dryer in it, but it takes forever
8. Costco purchase + great customer service (I had to replace a cracked seat & they just mailed a whole one out for free!)

You'll never go back to "just" using TP, no joke. I don't know why these haven't caught on in America, they need to!! The 6800 is a really decent budget model. Lots of features, pricey but not insane, easy to install, etc. I picked up another one last Black Friday.

 

[brianmanahan]

So it takes away seat space from the back?

yeah it does. this isn't a problem in the cheaper bidets like the luxe neo 120 though

Also does it have to be plugged in for the heating element to work or does it work on a battery?

yeah it has to be plugged in, getting it set up was kind of a pain in my bathroom cuz i didn't have a plug near enough for the short cord. and i didn't want the extension cord to go on the floor of a bathroom that could flood, so i had to find a way to run it up along the wall over the vanity.

the non-powered luxe bidet was a lot simpler overall, and the heated water + fan isn't necessary. but it is nice.

 

[Fritzo]

Basically, bidets come in 3 types:

1. Basic (cold water, with a knob...avoid like the plague) $
2. Decent (warm water, wireless remote) $$
3. Ridiculous (self-cleaning, motorized lid, etc.) $$$

The 6800 model is nice for a few reasons:

1. It goes on sale for $200 to $250 (vs. $400 to $600). Still expensive but not like PS5 expensive lol.
2. It has a blue LED nightlight, super handy for midnight runs!
3. You can set the temp of the water (water-line, warm, hot)
4. The seat is heated (can turn on/off)
5. You can attach it aftermarket to any round (or elongated) toilet you want (no special $2,000 Toto-whatever required!)
6. You can adjust the position of the water spout, as well as the speed & pulse of the water
7. It does have a dryer in it, but it takes forever
8. Costco purchase + great customer service (I had to replace a cracked seat & they just mailed a whole one out for free!)

You'll never go back to "just" using TP, no joke. I don't know why these haven't caught on in America, they need to!! The 6800 is a really decent budget model. Lots of features, pricey but not insane, easy to install, etc. I picked up another one last Black Friday.

I'm not finding an issue with the cold water ones...is this just an assumption they'll be uncomfortable? It turns out that area isn't as sensitive to cold water as you think

 

[JM Aggie08]

Toto Washlet C100 master race.

 

[Fanatical Meat]

I have a Bio Bidet 6800 from Costco. They're usually $400, on sale for $199 until 3/14:

https://www.costco.com/bio-bidet-uspa-6800-luxury-bidet-seat.product.100015779.html

It's a little pricey but it's 100% worth the money! Rode out the TP shortage no problem lol. Has a remote control, warm water, just needs to tap into the water line (not dependent on a hot water line, it's electrically heated) & a plug nearby. Make sure to select either round or elongated for seat shape.

Compared to a standard seat how wide is it when it is open (like when you pee).
My crapper is tight against the wall and I need slim seats or the top falls while I pee.

 

[brianmanahan]

I'm not finding an issue with the cold water ones...is this just an assumption they'll be uncomfortable? It turns out that area isn't as sensitive to cold water as you think

yeah the basic models work absolutely fine

i used one for years and had no problems with the cold water, even when it got down to like 40F-something out of the faucet

 

[DigDog]

it's a waste of space to have a bidet separate from the toilet

 

[Kaido]

I'm not finding an issue with the cold water ones...is this just an assumption they'll be uncomfortable? It turns out that area isn't as sensitive to cold water as you think

I've turned off the heated water on mine & it was not fun. Tap water is like 45F in the winter here

 

[brianmanahan]

I've turned off the heated water on mine & it was not fun. Tap water is like 45F in the winter here

i don't really have a problem with the mid 40s water, it's quick and strong anyway

 

[Fritzo]

I've turned off the heated water on mine & it was not fun. Tap water is like 45F in the winter here

Maybe if you get used to hot water first...I've never had a hot water one so I don't know any better