Sometimes “good enough” really is good enough.
That’s pretty much how I see it too. For a 30-foot run, direct-burial cable is more than adequate, especially if you’re not planning to upgrade or mess with the setup anytime soon. I’ve seen plenty of backyard runs last a decade or more without any issues, as long as they’re buried deep enough and not in a spot where you’re constantly digging or driving over them.
Conduit has its place, sure, but it’s not always worth the extra effort for a short distance like this. I get why people want to “future-proof” everything, but sometimes it just adds unnecessary complexity. If you ever do need to replace the cable down the line, yeah, it’s a hassle, but it’s not the end of the world. Most folks overestimate how often that actually happens.
I ran a similar line to my own workshop about five years ago—just direct-burial Cat6, no conduit. Still going strong, no hiccups. The only thing I’d say is to make sure you mark where it’s buried, just in case you forget or someone else starts digging later. A simple sketch or even a photo can save a lot of headaches.
All in all, seems like you made a solid call. Sometimes the simplest solution really is the best one.
Yeah, I’m with you—sometimes you just don’t need to overthink it. I looked at conduit too, but honestly, the price difference for a short run just didn’t make sense for me. I buried my cable about a foot down, tossed a couple bricks on top for good measure, and called it a day. Five years later, still streaming Netflix in the shed without a hiccup. If it ever dies, I’ll deal with it then... but I’d rather save the cash now than stress about “future-proofing” everything.
I get the appeal of just getting it done and not overcomplicating things, especially for a short run. Still, I’ve always wondered—did you ever worry about critters chewing through the cable? I’ve seen a few cases where folks had to dig everything up because of that. Maybe it’s just luck, but I’m curious if you did anything extra to protect it besides the bricks.
Honestly, I had the same worry after a squirrel chewed through my outdoor extension cord a few years back. For the ethernet, I ran it through some leftover PVC conduit under the bricks—cheap insurance. Not 100% critter-proof, but better than nothing, right?
PVC under the bricks is a solid move—definitely better than just leaving the cable exposed. I’ve seen folks use flexible metal conduit too, but that can get pricey fast. Did you have any trouble with moisture getting into the conduit, or did you seal up the ends somehow? I’ve had issues with condensation in the past, especially during spring thaws.