Mailbox Post Replacement

Introduction: A mailbox is our little link for keeping in touch with the world. It is where we receive letters, magazines, catalogs, and post outgoing mail. Through rain, snow, and hot sun the mailbox stands on its post at the end of the driveway waiting for the daily deposit of mail. Unfortunately the mailbox will eventually need a mailbox post replacement.

Most mailbox posts are made of wood, usually pressure treated, plastic, or are a metal pipe. In either case the post is usually cemented in the ground and the mail box attached to the post. It really doesn’t matter which type of post you use, it will eventually need replacement. If it doesn’t get destroyed by vandals or knocked down by the snow plow, the weather will eventually take its toil requiring it to be replaced. The hardest part of repairing or replacing a mailbox is removing the old box and post.

Mailbox post design:

There are several choices for mailbox post designs.  The most recent addition is molded plastic.  Some make no pretence about being plastic, using flowing shapes, interesting colors and unique designs with integrated features such as newspaper holders.  Others are made to look like painted cedar mailbox posts but for a fraction of the price and without the durability problems.  As a whole, plastic mailbox posts are extremely durable and will outlast any wood or metal post. However, many are quite unsightly.

Metal posts are available in galvanized steel and aluminum.  Both are durable, but aluminum is more often preferred because it doesn't rust like a steel post and the finish stays looking better longer.  Aluminum mailbox posts tend to be more expensive than galvanized steel.

Wood mailbox posts are the traditional choice, especially for do-it-yourselfers looking for economy.  The simplest post is a 4x4 or 6x6 post of any wood variety. A pressure treated mailbox post or a cedar mailbox post is the most common. A 3/4 to 1 inch thick pine or cedar wood base is attached to the top of the post to attach the mailbox.  The base should be sized to fit into the recess under the mailbox. Ready made mailbox posts can be purchased at most home improvement centers. Again you have a choice of redwood, cedar and various and pressure-treated woods.

Replace mailbox post:

If the post is not already loose in the ground just wiggle it until it is. The cement ball will come loose from the surrounding earth.

Some digging to remove the earth around the post may be necessary.

Use a pry bar or a mason's bar to pry the old post from the ground.

Note

When installing the new post take care that the completed installation will allow the mail box lid in the open position is between 41 and 45 inches above the road surface. Distance from the outside edge and the curb or edge of the road surface, to the front of the mailbox should be 6 to 8 inches. US Postal regulations regarding mailbox location and height can be obtained from your local post office.

Position the new mailbox post in the hole. Use small braces to straighten and hold the post vertically and fill the hole with premixed cement.  Just dump the premixed cement in the hole around the post, tamp it down and then add water.

Let the cement set for approximately four hours and then attach the mailbox to the post.

That’s all there is to it!

See more DIY Shop Projects and Ideas

For more DIY information Check out these Resources