Cards, letters, bills, your mailbox gets a lot of use. So whether you’re moving into a brand new home or your current mailbox is in need of an update we can show you how to install one for years of service.
We've removed our old mailbox and were ready to install our new one. Installation is the simple project you'll need just a few basic tools a spud bar, a post hole digger or shovel, a wheelbarrow, tape measure, post level, marking paint, gravel, a bag of concrete, a bucker for water, a mailbox post, a mailbox numbers, work gloves and safety glasses. You might need wood and some clamps for braces. Now our mailbox assembly also required a screw driver, wrenches and, a sockets wrench with sockets.
Remember not all mailboxes are the same. So read the manufacturers instructions for your mailbox you can also print out the instructions and tool list for this project at Lowes.com/videos. Were moving a location of our new mailbox so well need to dig a new whole as with any home improvement project where digging is involved first you want to call 811 to contact your utility companies to make sure you don’t dig around gas, electric or other lines.
Ones you know where you can't dig its important to know where you should dig. According to the US postal service mailbox are should be installed at a height of 41 to 45 inches from the road surface to the bottom of the mailbox. Mailbox as should be set back six to eight inches from the front face of the curve or road edge to the mailbox door. Mark the spot on the ground and then dig your hole. A spud bar and a postal digger can make digging your rocky soil easier.
Follow the manufacturer’s instruction for the size of your posthole. Our holes is about 9 inches in diameter and 20 inches deep. Now pour about six inches of gravel into the hole this will help with drainage. Place the post in the hole and double check the height to the base making sure it reach the 41-45" regulation if not add or remove a bit of gravel. Use a level to make sure that the post is plumb and level. Use wooden braces or a friend to hold the post in place. Now pour concrete mix dry into the hole until it is about 3-4" from the top of the ground. Double check to make sure your post is level and then adds water following the manufacturer’s instructions.
Wait about 20-40 minutes for the concrete to set and fill the rest of the hole with dirt and then its time to add the postal box. Now typically you attached it to the base with screws but you want to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for your box. The post office also requires that every mail box be clearly with house numbers at least one inch high. Now there are many styles available or you can pain the numbers on. And if you want to personalize, you mail box check out some of our tips at Lowescreativeideas.com.
And with that your mailbox is set. Now if you're looking for more essential home improvement How To, check out our line of projects at lowes.com/videos.
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