Mulch against crawlspace vent
Here is a good reason why a ventilated crawlspace is never a good idea - encapsulation is the best solution. Here we see mulch up against the vent opening, through which water drains from the mulch into the crawlspace.
Water source
we can actually see the mulch that has been put up against the crawl space vents, allowing groundwater form the outside to pour through and run down the foundation walls and onto the crawl space floor. And that's just the beginning of the problems that result.
Dead vermin and who knows what else??
Damp crawl spaces are an invitation to vermin and insects who WILL find a way inside. Once there they cannot find a way back to the outside and they die and rot, leaving a horrible smell that makes its way into the HVAC system and is carried all throughout the home. The best solution to this problem is to treat the crawl space like another room inside the house by sealing it and insulate the foundation walls and then dehumidify the space from the inside.
Unwelcome guests with dirty habits
This is what happens when you invite pests into your home. This festers and creates a wonderfully pungent smell - YUCK. ENCAPSULATION will stop the open door.
Right through the rim band
Mulching up against the foundation walls is NEVER a good idea, since it holds water which then finds its way through critical structural components of the home and into the space beneath it. This is a relatively new home. How many years do you suppose this could have gone on before the homeowner would face a very expensive foundation repair job because the rim band was literally rotting away. Exterior grading to move groundwater away from the foundation and crawl space ENCAPSULATION is the best answer to these problems
