Mold Image Library
The image library contains mold-related images in seven categories. There are also animated images that you can choose to view and download. Each photo has a larger, higher resolution version. To download the higher resolution version of a photo, click on the thumbnail. When the window opens, right click and choose whether you want to copy or print the photo. If copying, paste the photo into a photo-editor program or presentation.
These photos may be used for presentations and educational purposes without contacting EPA — please see EPA's Privacy and Security Notice for more information.
Mold in the Environment
Mold growing outdoors on firewood
Molds come in many colors, both white and black mold are shown here.
Decomposing leaves
Orange colored mushroom
Orange colored mushroom growing on forest floor amid pine needles.
Partially decomposed beech leaves
Mold on bread
Note growth has started on the exterior and is gradually expanding and growing into the interior of the bread.
Partially decomposed beech leaves
Mushroom: Grey Ink Cap Mushroom
Commonly found in gardens and on compost.
Photo courtesy of Terry Brennan
Magnified Mold
Mold growing in petri dishes
Photo courtesy of Stephen Vesper
Mold growing in petri dishes
The same type of mold is growing in both photos, but note that molds can change appearance as they age. In this example, the mold on the right has been growing for several days longer than the mold on the left.
Photo courtesy of Chin Yang, Ph.D.
Magnified mold spores
Photo courtesy of Chin Yang, Ph.D.
Magnified mold spores
Photo courtesy of John Martyny, Ph.D.
Magnified mold and mold spores
Photo courtesy of John Martyny, Ph.D.
Highly magnified mold spores, lit from behind
The spores are very small (2-5 microns) and become airborne easily.
Photo courtesy of Terry Brennan
Mold spores, highly magnified
Photo courtesy of John Martyny, Ph.D.
Moisture and Moisture Damage
Condensation on a window
Icicles
Water leaks
Water stains on wood
Water stains on wall and ceiling
Photo courtesy of John Martyny, Ph.D.
Acoustic ceiling tiles with water damage
Photo courtesy of Terry Brennan
Water stains in basement
Photo courtesy of Terry Brennan
Water-damaged ceiling tiles
Air conditioning ducts above the ceiling were not insulated in several areas resulting in condensation on the ducts that dripped onto the ceiling tiles.
Photo courtesy of Terry Brennan
Puddles on flat roof
Wood showing water stains caused by roof leak
Roof leak seeped into wall
Water from roof leak has seeped into a wall causing the paint to buckle and peel.
Photo courtesy of Terry Brennan
Mineral deposits on walls
When built, the roof had a hole for the drainpipe; however, a drainpipe was not installed until years later. The white stains on the brick are mineral deposits resulting from rain pouring through the drain hole onto the walls.
Photo courtesy of Terry Brennan
Icicles result from warm air
In this case, the icicles result from warm air in the house leaking into an attic without sufficient insulation.
Photo courtesy of Terry Brennan
Water in the basement
Several inches of water in a basement with a broken sump pump.
Photo courtesy of Terry Brennan
Water seeped through concrete walls
Water in the ground has seeped through the concrete walls of the basement, leaving white mineral deposits on the walls. The water has evaporated into this basement, increasing humidity. Mold is growing in some areas.
Photo courtesy of John Martyny, Ph.D.
Mineral deposits on the surface of a dirt crawl space
Mineral deposits on the surface of a dirt crawl space caused by chronic water problems. This is not mold.
Photo courtesy of John Martyny, Ph.D.
Flooding
EPA mold guidance is not for flood water.
Prevention
Moisture issue: Foundation is wet; drain gutters are too short
Fix: Drain rain water away from the house, generally about 5 feet away from the foundation. Gutters below grade (below the soil) are protected from damage, while those above grade may be more easily damaged.
Photo courtesy of Terry Brennan
Moisture issue: Rainwater is falling and collecting near the foundation of this house
Fix: It is important that the water drain away from the foundation—the ground could be sloped away from the foundation so that the water will run off.
Photo courtesy of Terry Brennan
Moisture issue: Disconnected downspout deposits rainwater from roof onto walls and near foundation
Fix: Connect the 2 downspouts.
Photo courtesy of Terry Brennan
Moisture Issue: A lawn sprinkler is located near the outside wall of a building
The sprinkler sprays the wall directly, and water leaks through wall into the building. Fix: Move the sprinkler away from the building so that water does not wet the walls or collect near the foundation.
Photo courtesy of Terry Brennan
Moisture Issue: Foundation was chronically wet, water and mold damage was found on original structure
Fix: Area was regraded during construction of an addition so that water drains away from the foundation.
An example of window flashing
Applied so that water drains to the outside of the window and not into the surrounding frame or walls.
Photo courtesy of Terry Brennan
Rust is an indication that condensation occurs on this drainpipe
The pipe should be insulated to prevent condensation.
Moisture issue: Condensation on uninsulated air conditioning duct
Fix: Insulate the duct on the outside.
Photo courtesy of Terry Brennan
Moisture issue: Leaking pipes
The leaking pipes under the kitchen sink were taped; the pipes continued to leak, and the area got moldy. Fix: The pipes should be fixed by a plumber or other qualified professional.
Photo courtesy of Terry Brennan
Example of a drain pan
Drain pan beneath a cooling coil that slopes to a drain line and is constructed of stainless steel.
Photo courtesy of Terry Brennan
Example of a crawlspace without mold or water problems
The site is well drained. The crawlspace has a vapor barrier over the earth, is air-sealed, and insulated on the walls.
Photo courtesy of Terry Brennan
Two examples of dehumidifiers
For spaces that are damp, often at high humidity, but do not have liquid water running through them, a dehumidifier can be used to reduce humidity.
Photo courtesy of Terry Brennan
Example of exhaust vent in a bathroom
Photo courtesy of Terry Brennan
Example of an exhaust hood and fan over a stovetop in a kitchen.
An exhaust fan over a range draws heat, moisture, and contaminants out of the house. Range hoods should vent to the outside.
Photo courtesy of Terry Brennan
Mold in Buildings
Mold growing on a suitcase
Mold growing on a suitcase stored in a humid basement.
Mold on painted gypsum board, baseboard, and carpet
Basement apartment (3-4 feet below ground) with mold on painted gypsum board, baseboard, and carpet.
Photo courtesy of Terry Brennan
Mold on ceiling
Photo courtesy of Terry Brennan
Mold on painted concrete in a school building.
Rainwater is wicking directly through the concrete walls, and there is also condensation on the earth-chilled concrete. (The floor is about 3 feet below ground level.)
Photo courtesy of Terry Brennan
Mold on drywall under leaky sink
Photo courtesy of John Martyny, Ph.D.
Plumbing leak inside wall led to mold on paneling
Plumbing leak inside wall led to mold on paneling behind mirror above bathroom sink. (The mirror has been removed in this photo.)
Photo courtesy of S. McNeel, DVM
Moisture damage and mold growth under bathtubs
Photo courtesy of Terry Brennan
Mold on grout
Photo courtesy of Elissa Feldman
Mold inside a bathroom cabinet where condensation forms
Photo courtesy of Terry Brennan
Mold on shower curtain
Photo courtesy of Terry Brennan
Mold on air seal on sliding glass door.
Extensive mold contamination of ceiling and walls
Photo courtesy of Terry Brennan
Mold on basement ceiling
Resulting from chronic high humidity (>90% relative humidity [RH]).
Photo courtesy of Terry Brennan
Colorful mold growth.
Photo courtesy of Terry Brennan
Sections of moldy gypsum board
Photo courtesy of Terry Brennan
Mold on first floor
Mold on first floor beneath a through-the-wall air conditioner on the second floor.
Photo courtesy of Terry Brennan
Mold on fragment of ceiling tile.
Mold surrounding air conditioning vent
Mold surrounding air conditioning vent in ceiling due to water leak.
Photo courtesy of John Martyny, Ph.D.
Mold growing on oriented strand board
Used for structural wood floor in crawl space.
Photo courtesy of John Martyny, Ph.D.
Mold on gypsum wallboard
Photo courtesy of Terry Brennan
Mold growth on fiberboard shelf (left) and on cardboard boxes (right)
Due to high humidity. Water is condensing from the basement air, which is at approximately 90% relative humidity (RH).
Photo courtesy of Terry Brennan
Mold inside a wall cavity
Photo courtesy of Terry Brennan
Mold on wooden paneling
Photo courtesy of Terry Brennan
Finding Mold and Moisture
Mold (and dirt) beneath refrigerator
Mold (and dirt) beneath refrigerator due to chronic drip-pan overflows.
Photo courtesy of Terry Brennan
Mold on a vacuum cleaner
Mold on a vacuum cleaner stored in a damp basement.
Photo courtesy of Terry Brennan
Moisture meter and moldy roof sheathing
Photo courtesy of Terry Brennan
Measuring moisture levels of a sub floor
Photo courtesy of Terry Brennan
Moldy bedroom closet.
Water condensed from the air onto the gypsum board. The wall is cool enough for condensation because there is a hole in the insulation and it is cold outdoors.
Photo courtesy of Terry Brennan
Moisture meter, showing high moisture content
Moisture meter, showing high moisture content in gypsum board behind tile.
Photo courtesy of Terry Brennan
Mold growth under ceramic tiles in a bathroom
Photo courtesy of John Martyny, Ph.D.
Mushrooms growing at the base of and behind the baseboard
Below a water leak in a bathroom. The baseboard has been removed; the puckers in the paint are due to water damage.
Photo courtesy of John Martyny, Ph.D.
Mold beneath corkboard
Most mold is found by simply looking. Mold beneath corkboard.
Photo courtesy of Terry Brennan
Mold inside a wall.
This photo shows an interior wall with the lower portion of the drywall removed on one side; there is mold on the backside of the drywall caused by water leak.
Photo courtesy of John Martyny, Ph.D.
Opening a wall with a utility knife
To minimize disturbance to mold in the wall cavity.
Inside of wall from above, moldy gypsum board, insulation
Photo courtesy of Terry Brennan
Looking for mold in wall cavities
By removing a section of drywall.
Photo, John Martyny, Ph.D.
Clear plastic tape is used to collect a sample.
The sample is analyzed with a microscope to determine whether the substance is mold or soot.
Photo courtesy of Terry Brennan
EPI microscope
Bulk samples can be examined using reflective light microscopes, such as stereo microscopes or this EPI microscope.
Photo courtesy of Terry Brennan
Cleaning and Remediation
N-95 disposable respirator
Cleaning with Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Gloves, goggles, N-95 respirator.
Limited PPE
Photo courtesy of Chin Yang, Ph.D.
Full containment on a large job
Photo courtesy of Terry Brennan
Full containment
Photo courtesy of Terry Brennan
Full containment
Photo courtesy of Terry Brennan
Drying a carpet with a commercial specialty blower with built-in heater
Photo courtesy of Terry Brennan
HEPA vacuum
Care is being taken to disturb the mold as little as possible while vacuuming.
Photo courtesy of Terry Brennan
Damp wiping surfaces with water and a small amount of detergent
Photo courtesy of Terry Brennan
Bookcases and books protected during clean-up
Photo courtesy of Terry Brennan
Animated Images
Cleaning Mold
Mold growing over time in a Petri dish