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
- Magnified Mold
- Moisture and Moisture Damage
- Prevention
- Mold in Buildings
- Finding Mold and Moisture
- Cleaning and Remediation
- Animated Images
Mold in the Environment
Molds come in many colors, both white and black mold are shown here.
Orange colored mushroom growing on forest floor amid pine needles.
Note growth has started on the exterior and is gradually expanding and growing into the interior of the bread.
Commonly found in gardens and on compost.
Photo courtesy of Terry Brennan
Magnified Mold
Photo courtesy of Stephen Vesper
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.
Photo courtesy of Chin Yang, Ph.D.
Photo courtesy of John Martyny, Ph.D.
Photo courtesy of John Martyny, Ph.D.
The spores are very small (2-5 microns) and become airborne easily.
Photo courtesy of Terry Brennan
Photo courtesy of John Martyny, Ph.D.
Moisture and Moisture Damage
Photo courtesy of John Martyny, Ph.D.
Photo courtesy of Terry Brennan
Photo courtesy of Terry Brennan
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
Water from roof leak has seeped into a wall causing the paint to buckle and peel.
Photo courtesy of Terry Brennan
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
In this case, the icicles result from warm air in the house leaking into an attic without sufficient insulation.
Photo courtesy of Terry Brennan
Several inches of water in a basement with a broken sump pump.
Photo courtesy of Terry Brennan
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 caused by chronic water problems. This is not mold.
Photo courtesy of John Martyny, Ph.D.
EPA mold guidance is not for flood water.
Prevention
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
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
Fix: Connect the 2 downspouts.
Photo courtesy of Terry Brennan
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
Fix: Area was regraded during construction of an addition so that water drains away from the foundation.
Applied so that water drains to the outside of the window and not into the surrounding frame or walls.
Photo courtesy of Terry Brennan
The pipe should be insulated to prevent condensation.
Fix: Insulate the duct on the outside.
Photo courtesy of Terry Brennan
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
Drain pan beneath a cooling coil that slopes to a drain line and is constructed of stainless steel.
Photo courtesy of Terry Brennan
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
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
Photo courtesy of Terry Brennan
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 stored in a humid basement.
Basement apartment (3-4 feet below ground) with mold on painted gypsum board, baseboard, and carpet.
Photo courtesy of Terry Brennan
Photo courtesy of Terry Brennan
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
Photo courtesy of John Martyny, Ph.D.
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
Photo courtesy of Terry Brennan
Photo courtesy of Elissa Feldman
Photo courtesy of Terry Brennan
Photo courtesy of Terry Brennan
Photo courtesy of Terry Brennan
Resulting from chronic high humidity (>90% relative humidity [RH]).
Photo courtesy of Terry Brennan
Photo courtesy of Terry Brennan
Photo courtesy of Terry Brennan
Mold on first floor beneath a through-the-wall air conditioner on the second floor.
Photo courtesy of Terry Brennan
Mold surrounding air conditioning vent in ceiling due to water leak.
Photo courtesy of John Martyny, Ph.D.
Used for structural wood floor in crawl space.
Photo courtesy of John Martyny, Ph.D.
Photo courtesy of Terry Brennan
Due to high humidity. Water is condensing from the basement air, which is at approximately 90% relative humidity (RH).
Photo courtesy of Terry Brennan
Photo courtesy of Terry Brennan
Photo courtesy of Terry Brennan
Finding Mold and Moisture
Mold (and dirt) beneath refrigerator due to chronic drip-pan overflows.
Photo courtesy of Terry Brennan
Mold on a vacuum cleaner stored in a damp basement.
Photo courtesy of Terry Brennan
Photo courtesy of Terry Brennan
Photo courtesy of Terry Brennan
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 in gypsum board behind tile.
Photo courtesy of Terry Brennan
Photo courtesy of John Martyny, Ph.D.
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.
Most mold is found by simply looking. Mold beneath corkboard.
Photo courtesy of Terry Brennan
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.
To minimize disturbance to mold in the wall cavity.
Photo courtesy of Terry Brennan
By removing a section of drywall.
Photo, John Martyny, Ph.D.
The sample is analyzed with a microscope to determine whether the substance is mold or soot.
Photo courtesy of Terry Brennan
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
Gloves, goggles, N-95 respirator.
Photo courtesy of Chin Yang, Ph.D.
Photo courtesy of Terry Brennan
Photo courtesy of Terry Brennan
Photo courtesy of Terry Brennan
Photo courtesy of Terry Brennan
Care is being taken to disturb the mold as little as possible while vacuuming.
Photo courtesy of Terry Brennan
Photo courtesy of Terry Brennan
Photo courtesy of Terry Brennan
Animated Images
