I get where you’re coming from—PVC conduit’s a pain to install but it’s peace of mind. I did direct burial once, and a couple years later tree roots wrecked the line. Had to dig it all up anyway. Ever try that flexible conduit stuff? Wondering if it’s any easier to work with around corners or if it just ends up being more hassle than it’s worth.
PVC is definitely a pain, but I totally get why people stick with it. I tried that flexible conduit once—honestly, it was a mixed bag. It’s way easier to snake around weird corners, especially if you’re dealing with a lot of obstacles or tight spaces. But the stuff I used felt kind of flimsy compared to rigid PVC, and I kept worrying about it getting crushed or chewed up underground. Maybe there are better brands out there, though.
Direct burial always sounds like the budget-friendly move, but man, tree roots are ruthless. I had a similar situation with a sprinkler line—roots just tore right through it after a couple years. Sometimes spending a bit more upfront for conduit saves you a headache down the road, even if it’s a hassle to install.
If you’re trying to keep costs down, maybe look for deals on the heavier-duty flexible stuff? Just make sure it’s rated for burial. Otherwise, yeah, PVC is a pain now but probably less of a pain later.
Direct burial always sounds like the budget-friendly move, but man, tree roots are ruthless. I had a similar situation with a sprinkler line—roots just tore right through it after a couple years.
Yeah, roots are no joke. I went cheap once and just direct-buried Cat6 straight into the ground (supposedly rated for it), but a year later, I was dealing with all sorts of random disconnects. Dug it up and found little chew marks and a spot where it literally snapped from a root pushing against it. Never again.
PVC is annoying to work with, but at least you know what you’re getting. I tried that flexible stuff too—honestly, it’s nice for corners but I didn’t trust it to hold up underground, especially after seeing how thin some brands are. Maybe there’s something out there that’s both tough and flexible, but I haven’t found it at Home Depot or Lowe’s. Everything seems either overpriced or flimsy.
If you’re running power and data together, do you bother with separate conduits? Or just jam everything in one? I’m trying to decide if it’s worth the extra cost for two runs. Feels like overkill, but I don’t want interference messing with the signal later. Curious what folks here have done when they’re trying to keep costs down but still want it to last more than a season or two.
If you’re running power and data together, do you bother with separate conduits? Or just jam everything in one? I’m trying to decide if it’s worth the extra cost for two runs. Feels like overkill, but I don’t want interference messing with the signal later.
- Been there, wrestled with the same question. I get wanting to save a few bucks, but honestly, I always run separate conduits for power and data. Not just for interference (which can be hit or miss depending on your cable quality and distance), but also for future headaches. If you ever need to pull a new line, you’ll thank yourself for keeping them apart.
- PVC is a pain, yeah, but it’s the only thing that’s held up for me long-term. Tried that corrugated flex stuff once—looked sturdy in the store, but after one winter it got brittle and cracked when I tried to dig near it. Not worth the gamble.
- On direct burial: I’ve lost count of how many “direct burial” rated cables I’ve had to replace. Roots, critters, even just shifting soil... they all find a way. The extra $20-30 for conduit is nothing compared to digging up a busted line.
- For corners, I use 45-degree PVC elbows instead of flex. It’s a little more work, but less likely to collapse or split underground.
- If you’re really pinching pennies, I’ve seen people run both power and data in the same conduit with a divider (like ENT with a barrier), but honestly, by the time you buy that specialty stuff, you might as well just run two cheap PVC pipes side by side.
- One thing I learned the hard way: mark your runs above ground. I thought I’d remember where everything was... until I hit my own conduit with a shovel two years later.
- As for interference, Cat6 is pretty forgiving, but if you’re running anything sensitive or long distances, just don’t risk it. Separate runs = peace of mind.
It’s tempting to cut corners, but in my experience, you end up paying for it twice—once now, and again when you have to redo it.
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Running power and data together in a single conduit is one of those shortcuts that seems harmless until it bites you later. I’ve seen a few folks try it to save on materials or labor, but honestly, it’s not worth the risk. Even if you’re using shielded Cat6, you’re still rolling the dice with interference—especially if you ever end up running anything more sensitive than basic ethernet, or if your power line isn’t perfectly clean.
I get the temptation, though. Digging two trenches or laying two pipes feels like overkill when you’re staring at the bill. But here’s the thing: separating them isn’t just about interference. It’s about future access. If you ever need to upgrade your network cable (say, you want to go fiber later), or if you have to replace a damaged line, you’ll be glad you didn’t have to fish it out from a tangle of power wires.
PVC is a hassle, no doubt. I’ve cursed at more than a few stubborn joints in the mud. But every time I’ve tried to cut corners with flex or direct burial, I’ve regretted it. Had a job last year where a “direct burial” ethernet cable got chewed up by something underground—maybe a mole, maybe just shifting rocks. Ended up having to dig up the whole run and redo it in conduit anyway. That extra $30 for pipe would’ve saved hours of work.
One thing I’d add: don’t forget about marking your runs above ground. I used to think I’d remember exactly where everything was, but after a couple years and some landscaping changes, it’s easy to lose track. A couple of cheap marker stakes or even just a note in your phone with measurements from fixed points can save you from accidentally hitting your own lines later.
If you’re really set on saving money, running two small conduits side by side is usually cheaper and easier than trying to find specialty divided conduit. And for corners, 45-degree elbows are worth the extra effort—less stress on the cables and less likely to collapse if the ground shifts.
Bottom line: separate runs might feel like overkill now, but they’ll save you headaches down the road. It’s one of those things where doing it right the first time is always cheaper in the long run... even if it doesn’t feel that way when you’re hauling pipe through the backyard mud.
