When your mailbox breaks, it can be highly inconvenient, and fixing it can seem pretty daunting. If your mailbox is broken, you’ll need to know whether it’s worth fixing or whether you need a new mailbox.
Ready for all the information you need about fixing mailboxes?
Keep reading as we’ll discuss everything you need to know about fixing your mailbox—whether your mailbox post is broken or defective. HB ELEMENTS offers a wide range of mailbox products and DIY home exterior products. Check out our website to learn more!
4 Types Of Mailboxes
To help you understand what you need to do to fix your mailbox and create your to-do list, let’s discuss the different types of mailboxes available to enhance your home’s curb appeal.
Lockable Mailboxes
Lockable mailboxes are mailboxes with a lockable hatch. Your mail carrier can insert mail through the mail slot, but nobody can retrieve the mail without a key. If this type of mailbox gets broken, you may need the services of a locksmith to fix your locking mailbox, or you might even need to replace it.
Small Package Mailboxes
Small package mailboxes are large enough to fit small packages in, reducing the risk of stolen mail. Sometimes these are wall mailboxes, and sometimes they are secured to a post. The slot is more significant for these mailbox types.
Typically, small package mailboxes have a large box, which means they are less suitable for a post mount.
Decorative Mailboxes
Decorative mailboxes come with features that serve no other function than to increase your home’s curb appeal, such as statues, decorative paint, or a decorative mailbox post. There are plenty of ways that you can make your mailbox look a little more fun.
Mail Slots
Mail slots allow your mail carrier to deliver packages straight inside your home. Door slots can be fitted into your door so that when the post office has your mail, it will be waiting for you when you come home and open your door.
You can even opt for a gate mailbox that slots into a wall, offering a double-sided mail carrier. Your letter carrier can use the mail entry slot on one side to deliver your mail, and you can collect it from a locked box on the other side.
What Do You Need To Replace Your Mailbox?
For the rest of this article, we will discuss replacing a mailbox and mailbox post to ensure that you receive your mail as soon as possible. To replace your mailbox, you will need the following
- A new mailbox
- A new post
- Concrete mix
- Mounting brackets
- A screwdriver
- Screws
- Tools for digging and removing your old post
By purchasing these items, you can be prepared to fix your curbside mailbox and ensure that you can receive mail.
7 Simple Steps To Replace Your Mailbox
Here are seven simple steps to replace your mailbox if it has broken.
Remove The Old Post With Its Mailbox
Before installing a new mailbox, you will need to remove the old posts from the post hole. You should use a spade for this, and ensure that you do not use your back when digging, as this could lead to injury.
You should remove the mailbox from the post if you wish to keep it, removing the mounting brackets from the old post using your screwdriver or a wrench.
Dig Your Post Hole Deep Enough
Before installing a mailbox post, you must dig a hole to secure it. The federal highway administration recommends drilling a hole at least two feet deep. This way, strong winds are less likely to blow your mailbox over and cause injury to pedestrians—which you could be liable for.
You can use a post-hole digger for this process, or you can use a good old-fashioned shovel.
Prepare The Concrete Mix
Once you have dug your hole, it will be ready to be secured with concrete mix. Ensure that the concrete mix meets construction standards and will stay intact over time—you’ll only need to replace your post sooner again if not. Ensure that your homeowner’s association and post office allow concrete mailbox post-hole supports.
You want to maintain compliance with neighborhood regulations, and some districts won’t allow this. If the homeowner’s association or local utility locating service does not allow concrete supports, you can fill the hole with dirt, tamping it down to ensure snug and reliable support for your post.
Prepare Your New Post
You’ll need to ensure that your new pressure-treated post is tall enough to comply with the guidelines set out by your local post office. Ensure that your new post is tall enough when slotted into the hole. You may need to visit the store and purchase a longer mailbox post if it isn’t.
You might also need to ensure that your new post is treated with proper paint or varnish to ensure that it doesn’t become cracked or warped due to intense weather conditions. Look for weather-resistant posts and post coatings when buying your post.
Put The Post In The Hole
Once you have prepared your new post, you can put your post in the hole. Use a level to ensure that your mailbox post is sitting in a perfectly upright position. Then, secure the bottom portion of your new mail post by filling the hole with gravel.
Once you have poured in the gravel, you can fill the hole with your concrete mix. Throughout this process, keep using your level to ensure that the post in the spot is perfectly upright.
Use Mounting Brackets To Attach The Mailbox
Once the concrete is dry, you can then attach your mailbox. You will first need to connect your mounting brackets to the mailbox to do this. Secure the shelves by drilling them in place using your screws and screwdriver.
Once you have done this, you can mount your mailbox on top of the post. Then, ensure the mailbox is level before securing using your screws.
Adjust As Needed
If you plan to decorate your mailbox, or add your full street address to the box, you can do so now that you have secured your mailbox. Once you have adjusted your mailbox to your liking, your local post office can begin filling your new mailbox with letters and packages!
FAQ
Here are some of the questions people often ask when purchasing a new mail carrier or replacing an old one.
Can I Lock My Mailbox?
You can lock your mailbox if you install a mailbox lock. Or, you can opt for a locking mailbox. Your local postmaster can insert your mail, but only you can withdraw letters from the box.
Does A Mailbox Need Maintenance?
A mailbox needs maintenance to ensure that it is not warped, broken, or unsightly. Checking the condition of the posts, screws, and paint on your mailbox will help you avoid any deterioration.
Takeaway
It can seem overwhelming when deciding which type of mailbox is right for you, your company, or your building. If you pay attention to the benefits and purposes of each mailbox type, however, you’ll find which suits you best. Each mailbox has a specific purpose, so you’ll only have a few options for your needs. If you need to access mailbox installation services, why not reach out to us at HB ELEMENTS? We’ve got your exterior design needs covered!