How to Repair an Unstable or Leaning Mailbox Post

Unstable leaning mailbox posts are a common problem. This can happen for many
reasons. Over time, slamming the mailbox door may have loosened the post; a
neighbor may have backed their car into the mailbox; the post may have been hit by a
lawnmower or snowplow. It could just be that the large top-heavy post was not set deep
enough in the ground to begin with and was bound to come loose. Regardless of the
reason, it is the homeowner’s responsibility to securely reset the post. If the leaning
angle of the post becomes pronounced, sooner or later, you will receive a notice from
the association that requires you to fix the problem. Those of us who are not particularly
handy may try quick fixes that just won’t work… digging around the post and adding
compacted dirt or gravel or pounding wood, PVC, or metal shims around the base of the
post are not the answer. To fix the problem, the mailbox and post has to be removed
and reset in quick dry cement or Sakrete in order to ensure that it is securely seated in
the ground.

To install a mailbox post using Sakrete, follow these steps:

  1. Prepare the hole: Dig a hole that's deep enough to go below the frost line,
    generally 6 to 12 inches in the ground. Belmont mailbox posts are generally 4
    inches by 4 inches. Leave 2 inches of space on each side of the post. In other
    words, the diameter of the hole should be 8 inches, for a 4 by 4-inch post.
  2. Mix the cement or Sakrete and place the post: Place the post in the ground and
    fill the hole with Sakrete Quick Dry Cement and water, using about 3 quarts of
    water for every 60 pound bag used to make the repair. Tamp the mixture with a
    rod, stick, or tamping tool to ensure that it is compacted before the Sakrete fully
    cures to enhance its strength. The ground at the post location may not be level.
    Position the post in the hole and use a level to ensure that the post is set at a 90
    degree angle to a horizontal plain (standing straight up).
  3. Let the post set and cure: The concrete will stiffen almost immediately, so don't
    rework it once it's set. Cover the post hole with plastic to prevent evaporation and
    allow it to set until the surface is hard to the touch. You should be able to use the
    post after about three hours. (Some professional handymen recommend dry
    packing the Sakrete for faster and stronger curing results.)
  4. Mount the mailbox: Follow the manufacturer's instructions to mount the mailbox to
    the post.

Here are some tips that might help:

  • In cold weather, use warm water to help the concrete set faster.
  • In hot weather, use cold water to slow down the setting process.
  • For best results, wait 24 hours before mounting the mailbox. (If the Sakrete was
    dry packed the mailbox can be installed the day the post was set.)

Why do it yourself? If you are not particularly handy or not inclined to tackle “do it
yourself” projects, feel free to reach out to the association office. They can give you the
name and phone number of a vendor, who is familiar with the color, size, and
material specifications for mailboxes, mailbox numbers, and posts for your village, that,
for a fee, will do the work for you.

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