Crawl Space Insulation - Open Vents
Open vents line the foundation walls of this crawl space. The idea behind them was that they would allow outside air to ventilate the crawl space and keep it dry during the summer months and closed vents would keep out cold air in the winter. The problem is that moisture and mold spores also find their way in and become trapped. The increase in moisture and temperature during warmer seasons leads to increased relative humidity and allows mold and mildew to grow and damage your home's foundation. During the cooler seasons, that cold dry air will settle in the underbelly of your home, making your floors cold and uncomfortable. The crawl space vents also allow critters to infiltrate the crawl space, which can even find their way into your home and contribute to poor indoor air quality.