What it is
Cladosporium is everywhere - it's one of the most common outdoor molds in the world, and it drifts indoors continuously. Indoor colonies usually establish on damp wood, fabric, or HVAC components.
Where it grows
Wood, fabrics, carpet, painted surfaces, HVAC systems, the area around windows where condensation collects.
Health impact
Triggers sneezing, coughing, skin irritation. Less aggressive than Stachybotrys or the Aspergillus/Penicillium pair.
This species does not typically produce mycotoxins, though it can still cause allergic reactions and respiratory irritation.
Property risk
Spreads via air circulation, especially through HVAC ductwork. Damage tends to be cosmetic on hard surfaces but can compromise damp wood over time.
When to test
If you see what looks like cladosporium in your home - or if a lab report flagged it in your air samples - testing the affected area against an outdoor baseline is the most useful next step. The decision about remediation depends on:
- How much is present (spore count per cubic meter, or visible square footage)
- What's beneath it (porous materials like drywall and insulation usually need removal; hard surfaces can often be cleaned)
- Whether the moisture source is identifiable and fixable
Our approach
For confirmed indoor cladosporium colonies, our process is the same as for any mold species: identify and stop the moisture source, contain the work area, remove what's compromised, HEPA-filter and HEPA-vacuum the surrounding area, dry everything, and verify with a post-remediation clearance test against the outdoor baseline.