overview for bloogs

How to protect existing electrical wire from elements in c/homeimprovement

[–] bloogs 9 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I figured we were well out of the window at this point, but you're right in that it doesn't hurt to ask.

How to protect existing electrical wire from elements in c/homeimprovement

[–] bloogs 1 points 1 year ago

Thank you. I'm thinking of getting a bit of work done on the driveway in the near future (probably Spring) so I'll be asking them about this as well

How to protect existing electrical wire from elements in c/homeimprovement

[–] bloogs 2 points 1 year ago

Thank you for making me aware of AFCI breakers! I will definitely be picking one up just in case. I think I'll go with the quick solution for now. I'm thinking of getting the driveway resealed and fixed up a bit in the near future (thinking maybe Spring) so I will ask about this with them as well

How to protect existing electrical wire from elements in c/homeimprovement

[–] bloogs 5 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Cool thanks, I also didn't realize it could be buried like that straight into asphalt so it all felt pretty weird. I'll be replacing it to at least keep it safer than it is now. Even though there's no reason why someone would be using one by the garage, I was just imagining someone accidentally hitting it with a weed wacker or something.

How to protect existing electrical wire from elements in c/homeimprovement

[–] bloogs 3 points 1 year ago

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

How to protect existing electrical wire from elements in c/homeimprovement

[–] bloogs 4 points 1 year ago

Thanks, you pointing out the difference between romex and UF got me to go back out and specifically check the cable. It is in fact UF. I didn't realize cable could be buried directly like this without some sort of protective conduit the whole way so didn't think to check the level of cable it was.

I think I will do what you and a handful of others suggested, and disconnect the breaker then replace the pipe from the top. I think I will also get an AFCI breaker that was also mentioned just in case.

56

How to protect existing electrical wire from elements (lemmy.world)

submitted 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) by bloogs to c/homeimprovement

16 comments fedilink

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.