The Situation: High Maintenance Costs Due to Plumbing Issues
Residential landlords often grapple with the hidden cost of plumbing maintenance. Whether your properties are on city sewage systems or rely on septic fields and finger systems, clogs caused by excessive toilet paper usage are a costly headache. Overflowing septic systems lead to pricey repairs, while clogged city sewage lines rack up bills for emergency plumbing services.
These issues are not only expensive but also disruptive for tenants, tarnishing landlord-tenant relationships and rental property reputation. With repairs ranging from a few hundred to thousands of dollars per incident, plumbing maintenance is a persistent and financially draining issue.
The Task: Reducing Plumbing Expenses Without Adding Work
Landlords need a solution that reduces these recurring costs without adding significant upfront expenses or increasing ongoing maintenance. The goal is to ensure tenant satisfaction, maintain property integrity, and save money in the long run. Enter the bidet—a simple, cost-effective upgrade that tackles the root of the problem: toilet paper overuse.
The Action: Installing Bidets
Installing a bidet attachment or toilet seat is a straightforward process. Modern bidets are affordable, easy to install, and require minimal maintenance. By reducing the amount of toilet paper flushed down the system, bidets significantly decrease the likelihood of clogs. For landlords, this translates into fewer plumbing emergencies and lower maintenance costs over time.
Cost Comparison: Bidet vs. Long-Term Plumbing Repairs
Here’s a breakdown of the potential costs:
- Bidet Installation:
- Cost of a quality bidet attachment: $50–$150 per unit.
- Installation: Often DIY or a one-time plumber cost (~$100).
- Total per house: $150–$250.
- Plumbing Repairs Without a Bidet:
- Average cost for unclogging pipes: $200–$500 per incident.
- Septic system maintenance or repairs: $5,000–$10,000 every 5–7 years for overloaded systems.
- Frequency: 2–3 clogs annually per property without intervention.
- Total over 5 years: $3,000–$10,000+.
- Expected Savings with Bidets:
- Reduced clogs by 70–90%.
- Minimal additional maintenance beyond normal property care.
The Result: Annual Savings and Tenant Satisfaction
By installing bidets, landlords can significantly cut plumbing repair costs while offering tenants an attractive, modern bathroom amenity. Based on the figures above, a property equipped with a bidet could save:
- Annually: $500–$1,000 per property in avoided clogs and maintenance.
- Over 5 Years: $2,500–$7,500 in savings, easily offsetting the initial bidet investment.
Beyond cost savings, bidets improve tenant satisfaction by offering a touch of luxury and convenience. Tenants are likely to appreciate the upgrade, which can even serve as a unique selling point when marketing rental properties.
Conclusion: A Small Investment, Big Rewards
For landlords seeking to reduce expenses and improve tenant satisfaction, bidets are a no-brainer. A small upfront cost can lead to thousands in savings over the years, making plumbing disasters a thing of the past. Whether you manage a single-family home or a portfolio of properties, installing bidets is a simple yet powerful way to keep your plumbing—and your budget—flowing smoothly
Below are some great options for inexpensive and easy to install bidets.
