I had an electrician run Cat 6 to all the bedrooms in my older house, and he ran the cable all along the outside of the house (not buried). It’s a blue Southwire cable that I believe is rated for indoor use, and I’m worried it may be an issue come winter here in northern-Illinois. Should I be worried about an impending doom and if so what can I do to protect the cables.
It depends really. I’ve install new WiFi bridge in 2016, and change UTP that goes by the wall in like 2020, as it change color and start to cracks. But other cable, which were installed in 2003 is fine, little bit stiffer than new one, but no cracks and still working well, same side of the house, may have little more shadow, but 20 years and it is regular cat5e cable, not outdoor one :P guess materials were better back in the days.
I agree with just painting those cables. Or to put those in cable conducts, not prettiest solution, but cables hanging loose is neither.
Thanks!