I purchased a house back in May and this was originally missed in the inspections. I have no idea how long it's been like this, but I've been thinking of how I can fix this as soon as I noticed.
The detached garage gets its power from this buried romex wire that is exposed to the elements. It looks like it was originally protected by some sort of non-outdoor conduit at some point. It's now rusted through and exposed. The ~~romex~~ UF insulation still seems intact, but I'd obviously like to protect this more permanently.
The wire is powering a single outlet and light that is just above where this exits the ground and enters the garage.
I was thinking I could use some correct type of caulk (something for asphalt?) in combination with some correct conduit to make this safer. I can probably disconnect it from the outlet and pull it through to install conduit piping from the top. Or find something outdoor rated that is more U-shaped that can be bonded to the back wall to also protect this.
Anyone have any ideas? I'd very much like to avoid digging this up completely. If I were to server this wire in the process, there's nothing I can do other than digging up the driveway.
Edit: thanks for all the comments everyone! I did go back to check and it is actually UF cable. I assumed romex but went back to check. After removing all the cobwebs and actually rubbing away the dust, I could make it out. I didn't realize you could bury any cable right into the asphalt like that.
I am no pro but I would get a piece of PVC pipe and cut a channel down it's length and replace or cover the metal pipe one with it if you get large enough PVC pipe. I would take a couple ring clamps and tighten the fuck out of them to "close" the channel you created. My way would make it so you don't have to disconnect the wire but still kill the breaker.
Yeah, I was originally thinking along similar lines of cutting a channel lengthwise down a pipe just enough to fit the cable through. Then closing the opening with caulk. But since I do have easy enough access to the top already, I think I'll just slide it down though the top