Pressure Washers, taps, and hosepipes

[Nanako]

Just put the hose to the pressure washer in the bucket. No pump required.

this might work, or it might not, i can see reasons for both

wouldnt it mean the washer ends up blowing air for at least a few seconds until some water gets there? and couldn't that damage it, or maybe just fail miserably. the pumps inside such a thing are optimised for water, after all

 

[denso13]

and couldn't that damage it, or maybe just fail miserably. the pumps inside such a thing are optimised for water, after all

No, it doesn't damage them, just the same when connected to a tap, there is no water in the washer at the beginning

 

[Old Salt]

Get a plumber to fit an outside tap. Connect the hose to your pressure washer, open the tap, pull the trigger of the pressure washer to expel any air. Turn on the pressure washer. Problem solved.

You are making something so simple unnecessarily complicated. I believe some pressure washers can work from a water butt, but whenever I have tried it the water butt cannot keep up with the demands of the pressure washer.