Harry Bloomfield wrote:
shaun presented the following explanation :
Unless they have applied some kind of coating then certainly the
latter. The stuff doesn't like exposure to the sun at all.

From the ground, they do not seem to have done and the joint is
not even filled up with the stuff.

It will start yellowing & crumbling within 12m, if in direct light. Paint
over with black mastic would do for a good while, but for a paid job I'd
expect a proper connector.