robertb47•4d agoRising Star

Stop using electrical tape on outdoor splices, seen 3 failures this month

I've been dispatched to fix 3 different jobs around Denver this month where guys used electrical tape on outdoor coax splices instead of weatherproof connectors. Every single one had corrosion inside the fitting within 6 months. The tape just traps moisture and makes it worse over time. If you're doing anything outside spend the $4 on a proper waterproof compression fitting. Has anyone else been running into this on service calls?

2 comments

2 Comments

seth_harris364d ago

Is this just one of those things where we all know the right way to do it but keep grabbing whatever's cheapest in the truck? I've seen the same thing with people using regular duct tape on hose connections outside, and it rots through in a season. It feels like we're in such a rush that we skip the simple fix that costs a few bucks and ends up costing way more time and money later. The tape trick works fine inside a dry attic, but once water and weather get involved, it's a whole different ballgame. Your mileage may vary, but I've learned the hard way that spending that little extra upfront saves headaches down the road.

abbyg604d ago

Grab some of that foil backed tape used for HVAC ductwork. It's like 8 bucks a roll at the hardware store and sticks forever even when it's damp. I switched after patching the same hose fitting three times with cheap stuff, the foil stuff held for two years straight until I replaced the whole line. Plus it reflects heat so if you got pipes near a furnace or something it helps a little there too, @seth_harris36 nailed it about the weather killing regular tape fast.