Alright, so the other day, I decided it was finally time to blast the gunk off my patio. You know how it gets. Pulled out the trusty pressure washer, feeling all motivated. But then, when I went to fire it up, it was just... disappointing. Sputtering, weak stream, not the power I was expecting. That’s when the old brain kicked in – forgot to prime the blasted thing!

My Priming Ritual - Step by Step

It’s a step folks often miss, or maybe don't even know about, but trust me, it makes all the difference between a frustrating session and getting the job done right. So here’s how I get mine ready to roar:

• First off, and this is super important, I make sure the engine (or motor, if it’s an electric one) is OFF. Don't want to run that pump dry, that’s a good way to ruin it.

• Next, I grab my garden hose. The regular one you use for watering plants. I hook that sucker up to the water inlet on the pressure washer. I always give it an extra twist to make sure it’s on there snug. Leaks are just annoying.

• Then, I head over to the spigot and turn the water on. All the way. Let it flow.

• Now, here’s the actual "priming" part. I take the spray gun – and I usually do this without any nozzle tip attached, or sometimes with the widest angle nozzle if I already have one on. I point it away from anything important, obviously, and squeeze the trigger. Just hold it down.

• You'll see, or rather hear and feel, air hissing out, followed by water sputtering and spitting. That’s exactly what you want. It’s pushing all the trapped air out of the hose and the pump.

• I keep that trigger squeezed. Patience is key here, though it doesn’t take too long. Maybe 30 seconds, sometimes a minute or so, depending on how long the hose is or how much air got in there. I’m waiting until I see a nice, solid, steady stream of water coming out. No more pulsing, no more air bubbles. Just pure water.

• Once I’ve got that good, steady flow, I know the pump is full of water and there’s no air left to cause trouble. Success!

Ready for Action

Only then, with the water still flowing smoothly through the gun (I usually let go of the trigger for a second, then get ready to start it), do I go ahead and start the pressure washer engine or flip the switch on my electric model.

And bam! It roars to life, pressure builds up almost instantly, and it’s ready to tackle whatever mess I throw at it. That day, the patio didn't stand a chance.

It's a simple little routine, this priming business, but it’s one of those things that, if you skip it, you'll be scratching your head wondering why your machine isn't performing. Saves a lot of guesswork and potential wear on the pump. So yeah, that’s my process. Works every time.