How do you install a new mailbox, particularly the post?

Question

My post, as well as my mailbox, are dying (post is splitting and mailbox is rusting to the point of falling apart). What's the best way of installing a new post and making sure its stable? What do I need to know to install the mailbox? Any advice you could provide me would be greatly appreciated.

Answer 1

BEFORE you sink the post, check with your delivery person to see what the local requirements are for the setback from the street and the height of the box (usually dependant on the height of the window for delivery driver).

See instructions:

Answer 2

I set ours into a 5 gal. bucket and filled it with cement. Then I just dug the hole to hold the bucket. It was easy to straighten (plumb) it. There are rules regarding what height and distance from the curb mail boxes must be. If your mailbox doesn't fall within these measurements, the post office might, but doesn't have to, deliver the mail. If you do the bucket method, drill some 1/2" holes in the bottom, and put in a 2" layer of small rocks 1st, so the post and bucket can drain. Fill it with cement and mound it over the top of the bucket to help shed water. Some large rocks around the 4x4 can hold it straight till the cement cures. If you keep the handle on the bucket it's easier to move afterwards. Good Luck

Answer 3

You'll need a shovel, a level and a screw driver (either manual or power) Dig out the old post, place the new post into the same hole, you can fill with instant mix concrete which is also available at Home Depot and secure the post with 2x4's until the concrete dries and cures. Make sure you level the post when you do this or the box will look goofy when you put it on the post. Hope this helps, and good luck.

Answer 4

You should either use a pressure treated post, or paint the bottom 2 feet of the post with a termite and fungicide treatement (Termin-8 is one brand) to minimize rotting of the buried end.

Dig a post hole about 18 to 24 inches deep. Put a couple of inches of gravel and rock in the bottom of the hole to let any water drain away from the post. Install the post and make sure it is plumb in two directions. You may want to brace it with a couple of diagonal boards nailed to some stakes. Use a premixed fence post concrete mix, and at the top of the hole, build it up about 1" above grade level, then slope it down to drain the water away from the post. Let it cure for 24 hrs.

Answer 5

Remove the old post completely. Dig a slightly larger hole about 1' diameter and 2' deep. insert post and fill with quick drying cement. be sure to use a level to make sure the post is straight.

Answer 6

if your old post is set in cement it will be hard to get out, if you can get it out you need to enlarge the hole and put cement in around the new post, an 8 inch piece of 2 by 8 should be attached to the post and the mail box is attached to that, you will find holes at the lower edge of the mail box to either nail or screw it to the 2 by8.

Answer 7

well put the pole in the smae hole put some cement in it to keep it strudy let it dry then put the mail box on