Sliced through Virgin Media cable while gardening!

[Deleted User]

Hi,

oh well, wait and pay, you may be able to get a reduction from Virgin for loss of service, but you'll need to fight.

victor2

Our VM cable was run just under the turf many many years ago before it was NTL, who were before VM. When we had our lawn re-turfed a few years back, I told the guy there was a cable not very deep running somewhere across the lawn. We found it before he went through it with his rotavator and all was fine. If he'd cut through it maybe I could have tried claiming through his insurance for the damage? Either way, it's accidental damage and you won't be able to hold VM responsible.

[Deleted User]

victor2 said:

Our VM cable was run just under the turf many many years ago before it was NTL, who were before VM. When we had our lawn re-turfed a few years back, I told the guy there was a cable not very deep running somewhere across the lawn. We found it before he went through it with his rotavator and all was fine. If he'd cut through it maybe I could have tried claiming through his insurance for the damage? Either way, it's accidental damage and you won't be able to hold VM responsible.

Not according to the Virgin rep on this thread on their own site.
https://community.virginmedia.com/t5/QuickStart-set-up-and/underground-cable-repair-cost/td-p/4049103

Hasbeen

Deleted_User said:

[Deleted User] said:

Hi,

as it's not an emergency, you may have to wait some time for an engineer.

For expediency, and to save money, can you repair it yourself?

Thanks for the advice but I'm not an electrician.

Its not an electrical cable. Electrician is not required. Plenty repair kits on ebay etc  This one sold out but do the ebay search.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/REPAIR-KIT-FOR-VIRGIN-MEDIA-CABLE-SATELLITE-TV-COAX-2-X-F-PLUGS-1-COUPLER-NEW-/251496264030?_trksid=p2349526.m4383.l10137.c10&nordt=true&rt=nc&orig_cvip=true

[Deleted User]

Hasbeen said:

Its not an electrical cable. Electrician is not required. 

It's just a matter of rejoining the coaxial cable together again I agree. As you say, there is no electrical knowledge required nor is there any danger of shock. If the cable has been cut through cleanly it's a simple job which does not require a "kit" as such. It's just the same as joining the cable from a roof aerial. 

Lots of YouTube videos available:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gh2vn-an4WA

I have to say that, while I still don't think Virgin is at fault, charging £99 is exorbitant.  

[Deleted User]

Deleted_User said: Am I supposed to check all round the garden looking for cables 2" underground? 

Yes, I think that a wise precaution before putting spade to earth. 

The cable only ever goes in a straight line along the lawn border from the cable access point in the public street to the access point drilled into your wall when the cable was originally installed. You can even follow the line by eye...

Good luck trying to get them out to repair it all at the moment, regardless of whether they ultimately waive the charge. 

[Deleted User]

Moneyineptitude said:

Deleted_User said: Am I supposed to check all round the garden looking for cables 2" underground? 

Yes, I think that a wise precaution before putting spade to earth. 

The cable only ever goes in a straight line along the lawn border from the cable access point in the public street to the access point drilled into your wall when the cable was originally installed. You can even follow the line by eye...

Good luck trying to get them out to repair it all at the moment, regardless of whether they ultimately waive the charge. 

There coming Saturday between 1pm and 6pm so all good.

[Deleted User]

Deleted_User said:

Moneyineptitude said:

Deleted_User said: Am I supposed to check all round the garden looking for cables 2" underground? 

Yes, I think that a wise precaution before putting spade to earth. 

The cable only ever goes in a straight line along the lawn border from the cable access point in the public street to the access point drilled into your wall when the cable was originally installed. You can even follow the line by eye...

Good luck trying to get them out to repair it all at the moment, regardless of whether they ultimately waive the charge. 

There coming Saturday between 1pm and 6pm so all good.

I have access to two other broadband lines anyway.(not virgin)

Mister_G

Moneyineptitude said:

Hasbeen said:

Its not an electrical cable. Electrician is not required. 

It's just a matter of rejoining the coaxial cable together again I agree. As you say, there is no electrical knowledge required nor is there any danger of shock. If the cable has been cut through cleanly it's a simple job which does not require a "kit" as such. It's just the same as joining the cable from a roof aerial. 

Lots of YouTube videos available:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gh2vn-an4WA

I have to say that, while I still don't think Virgin is at fault, charging £99 is exorbitant.  

Bear in mind that it may be a shotgun cable which carries the telephony pairs as well.

jb66

Virgin wont charge for this, there is no legal depth on private land