Last updated: 2026-06-03
Soft washing in Kensington, San Diego
We soft wash homes across Kensington, including the Spanish revival and Mediterranean stucco built between 1924 and 1942. Our crew uses 0.4% sodium hypochlorite blended with a surfactant at 60-100 PSI, dwell time 8 minutes, rinse with clean water. Average 1,800 sq ft home takes 2.5 hours and costs $385-$520 depending on biological growth depth.
Last updated: June 2026
Why Kensington needs soft washing, not pressure washing
Kensington homes are mostly original stucco from the 1920s and 1930s. The lath underneath is wood. Any pressure washer over 1,500 PSI on aging stucco drives water through hairline cracks and into the wall cavity. We have seen the inside of walls that were soaked by competitors running 3,000 PSI machines. Drywall replacement is not a small bill.
Soft washing is the only safe method on the older homes along Marlborough Drive, Edgeware Road, and the streets around the Kensington branch library. We chemical-treat the algae, mildew, and dirt at the molecular level, then rinse with clean water at low pressure.
The Kensington tree canopy problem
The original jacarandas and Torrey pines across Kensington shade most north-facing stucco walls year-round. Shade plus marine layer equals heavy algae growth. We see it especially on the east-facing walls near Adams Avenue.
Most owners think the green tint is dirt. It is biological growth. Pressure washing makes it visually go away for two weeks. Soft washing kills it at the spore level and keeps it gone for 18-24 months.
What it costs in Kensington
Our pricing for soft washing a Kensington home runs $385-$520 for an 1,800 sq ft single story. Two stories or homes with extensive trim work range $520-$725. Most jobs this spring sat in the $440-$500 range.
Working with Kensington's neighborhood character
Kensington is not formally HOA-governed across most of its streets, but the Kensington Community Council maintains design standards and a watchful eye. We work in muted gear and we do not run our trailer generator during morning quiet hours. Several owners have asked us to schedule after 9 AM on weekdays, and we do.
Where we work in Kensington
We cover the full Kensington boundary, including the Talmadge-adjacent blocks east of 36th Street, the corridor along Adams Avenue, and the homes south toward El Cajon Boulevard. Same-week scheduling is the norm.
If your Kensington home has green or black growth on stucco, book a free estimate through our contact page or read more on our soft washing service page.
If we soft washed your Kensington home this season, mention your street in your Google review. It helps neighbors know we know their block.