A mailbox is usually the very first thing guests discover when approaching a house. An outdated, worn, or leaning mailbox publish can detract from a house’s curb attraction and even make mail supply tougher. On this article, we clarify repair leaning mailboxes and provides them a contemporary coat of paint in order that they’re trying good as new.
How To Repair a Leaning Mailbox Put up
Over time, mailboxes on posts are likely to lean on account of soil circumstances, climate, rotting wooden, or bodily harm. If the lean is minor and the publish isn’t damaged, rotting, or broken, it’s a easy restore job.
Begin by digging a shallow gap across the perimeter of the mailbox publish till the stake strikes barely. Subsequent, wedge the publish upright by filling the outlet with hardscape supplies, resembling rocks, sand, gravel, or a concrete combine, and compact the hardscape materials firmly into the outlet. When you’re utilizing rocks, pour in sand to fill any air pockets. Lastly, change any filth and grass to floor stage.
How To Select a New Mailbox Put up
In case your mailbox publish has seen higher days, you’ll probably want to purchase a brand new one from a ironmongery shop or residence middle. Three frequent publish supplies embody:
Molded plastic posts are available varied shapes, colours, and designs. Some have additional options, resembling newspaper holders. This sturdy choice typically outlasts its wooden or steel counterparts.
Galvanized metal posts are a strong and durable choice, however they’re liable to rusting. When you stay in a damp space, aluminum posts don’t rust as simply, however they’re dearer than galvanized metal choices.
Wooden posts are a cheap and natural-looking selection, out there in pine, cedar, redwood, and different wooden varieties. Strain-treated wooden has an extended lifespan in comparison with untreated wooden.
How To Set up a New Mailbox Put up
When you’ve chosen your new mailbox publish, it’s time to put in it. Nonetheless, verify along with your native publish workplace earlier than you begin. You might need to stick to sure rules regarding field placement, top, location, and distance.
You may reuse the outdated publish gap or make a brand new one. When you’re making a brand new publish gap, use a post-hole digger to dig 18 to 24 inches deep. Use a mason’s bar to pry up and take away massive rocks.
Place the brand new publish within the gap and add a number of massive rocks across the base for additional assist. Pour 4 to six inches of gravel into the underside of the outlet to enhance drainage, holding the publish upright as you go. Use a stage often to see if it’s straight.
Tamp down the soil each 6 to 12 inches with a shovel deal with or mason’s bar. Double-check that the publish is stage earlier than changing the landscaping.
Portray or Staining Your Mailbox
In case your mailbox has seen higher days, you may freshen it up with a brand new coat of paint or stain. You’ll want the next instruments and supplies.
- Drop material
- Screwdriver
- Cleansing rag
- Soapy scorching water
- Wire brush
- Painter’s tape
- Primer
- Sandpaper (non-compulsory)
- Spray paint or stain in your most well-liked coloration and in purple for the flag
- Slender foam brush
Work on a drop material in a well-ventilated space, such because the storage. Take away the mailbox from the publish with a screwdriver. Begin by cleansing the inside and exterior of the mailbox with the rag and scorching, soapy water to take away mildew, mould, oils, mud, filth, and lichen, then rinse the field and let it dry. You would possibly want stronger cleansing supplies for cussed spots.
You may take away any rust with a wire brush. Wipe away free steel shavings or paint flakes with a clear rag and wrap the mailbox flag in painter’s tape.
Spray the mailbox fully with primer for higher paint adhesion. You’ll want to cowl the door, again, and beneath the door. Permit the primer to dry for twenty-four hours. As soon as the primer is dry, apply the paint in sluggish, even strokes and let it dry for twenty-four hours.
Sand the picket mailbox evenly to take away any additional particles. Spray the stain in sections. When you’d like a lightweight coating, wipe off any extra. For a darker coating, spray the stain a second time. Permit the stain to dry for twenty-four hours.
As soon as it’s dry, take away the painter’s tape from the flag. Paint the flag utilizing a slender foam brush and a dab of purple metallic paint and let it dry for twenty-four hours.
