Hello, I need some guidance. I am installing an antique victorian rib cage shower. The inlet supply lines (hot and cold) on the shower are 3/4 inch pipe. Water pressure is over 70 psi. Everything works fine except for the fact that water barely comes out of the top rib cage ring (it is not plugged up). Flow is adequate for the other three rings. Note: Each ring is approximately 36 inches in diameter with 92 pin sized body spray holes. Each hole measures approximately .038 of an inch in diameter. I even increased the supply lines to 1-inch diameter to see what would result. Still had inadequate flow from the top rib cage ring. It appears to me that there is a volume issue.

Where do I proceed from here? Do I need to install supply lines larger than 1-inch? Do I need to install an overhead storage tank of some sort in order to have more water volume? Does anyone know what the GPM water supply for such a shower should be?

Thank you for your thoughts.

Jim Hughes
Upland, CA

Hey Jim,

Where in the world did you pick up a ribcage/needle shower? Do you realize a used one cleaned up will go for 10 to 15 thousand dollars?
Ya can't convince me that with almost twice the average house pressure and 1" supplies you don't have enough pressure and volume to feed both the shower head and the ribs. The top rib has got to be clogged somewhere. If the top rib was not clogged and clear then , if there were a pressure/volume problem, then all the ribs would be affected. (see image). Double check the inlet to the top rib. Good luck and let me know how you make out. Regards, Tom