Wood Rot
Wood should not be in direct contact with concrete or soil, in fact it should be 6-8 inches away from grade level and separated from concrete with a moisture barrier.
Concrete gets dark grey when it’s wetted because it absorbs water, from rain or the ground. Wood absorbs moisture from the concrete and begins to rot eventually. Behind this trim is the junction of the foundation and wood framing which is susceptible to leaking, pest entry, and rot creating larger structural headaches.