Recurring phone problem

[Daveoc64]

We have had to call Virgin Media out to repair the connection between the phone line at the end of our driveway and the pavement several times in the last few years.

All is well for a short period of time (as little as two days, up to three months), but the problem just comes back again.

The problem seems to be that the connection becomes damaged by water getting into the silicone seal that they put in. Each time someone comes out to fix the problem, they have tried doing more to keep the connection sealed, but the problem still comes back.

The last time the engineer came out, he used two of the silicone seals (one for each "end" of the connection) and made sure that the whole thing was covered up by a green plastic shield, as well as a few rocks. This was just before all of the snow in the week before Christmas.

When all of the snow melted, the problem cropped up again (and has got progressively worse).

I really can't see why this would happen, as we do not live in a place that is prone to flooding of any kind, and I don't see any reason why the exact spot that this cable is placed would be at risk (it's under some trees and bushes).

The phone line is once again totally unusable (and has been for some time, but it's not a big priority), so I will have to call out an engineer.

The line was originally installed for Dial Up (and Telewest's offers back in the 90s), and has been retained for TV Size M and rather ironically, our Sky boxes! Our BT line is used for all other purposes, and as such, we don't bother calling Virgin to get this problem fixed as quickly as other people might do.

Has anybody got any ideas for a long term solution? While it's hard for you to understand the exact situation, I expect the problem is relatively generic.

[Digital Fanatic]

Originally Posted by Daveoc64

We have had to call Virgin Media out to repair the connection between the phone line at the end of our driveway and the pavement several times in the last few years.

All is well for a short period of time (as little as two days, up to three months), but the problem just comes back again.

The problem seems to be that the connection becomes damaged by water getting into the silicone seal that they put in. Each time someone comes out to fix the problem, they have tried doing more to keep the connection sealed, but the problem still comes back.

The last time the engineer came out, he used two of the silicone seals (one for each "end" of the connection) and made sure that the whole thing was covered up by a green plastic shield, as well as a few rocks. This was just before all of the snow in the week before Christmas.

When all of the snow melted, the problem cropped up again (and has got progressively worse).

I really can't see why this would happen, as we do not live in a place that is prone to flooding of any kind, and I don't see any reason why the exact spot that this cable is placed would be at risk (it's under some trees and bushes).

The phone line is once again totally unusable (and has been for some time, but it's not a big priority), so I will have to call out an engineer.

The line was originally installed for Dial Up (and Telewest's offers back in the 90s), and has been retained for TV Size M and rather ironically, our Sky boxes! Our BT line is used for all other purposes, and as such, we don't bother calling Virgin to get this problem fixed as quickly as other people might do.

Has anybody got any ideas for a long term solution? While it's hard for you to understand the exact situation, I expect the problem is relatively generic.

Maybe the cable would be better above ground somewhere? Sounds like it's rotting in the ground... maybe along a wall or secure fence? just a thought.