Download ArticleSet up your own curbside mailbox with or without concrete
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This article was co-authored by Grant Wallace. Grant Wallace is a Landscaper and Owner of Grantlanta Lawn in Atlanta, Georgia. With over seven years of experience, he specializes in lawn maintenance and landscape installation. In 2012, he earned his BA from the University of West Georgia. Grant has been profiled in Shoutout Atlanta, Canvas Rebel, and Voyage ATL.
There are 9 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page.
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This article has been viewed 151,130 times.
Installing a mailbox post can be an easy job for most homeowners. To get started, check with your country or area’s mail regulations to see how tall your mailbox should be and how far it needs to be from the curb. Then you can plan the location of your mailbox, use a post digger to dig a hole (or use an existing mailbox post hole), and pour concrete or use a post stake to secure the post to the ground. Keep reading to learn everything you need to set up your new mailbox in just one afternoon!
Replacing a Mailbox Post
- Check local regulations for the height and location of your mailbox.
- Lift the old post and concrete with a shovel and remove them.
- Add 4 to 6 in (10 to 15 cm) of gravel into the hole.
- Place the post in the hole and ensure it meets height requirements.
- Pour a 50 pounds (23 kg) bag of fast-setting concrete into the hole.
- Cover the concrete with water, mix, and let it sit for 4 to 6 hours.
Steps
Contact an expert to locate your utilities if you’re digging a new hole. You may hit water pipes, power cables, or other important utilities. Many countries offer a service that will mark the location of utilities in your yard.[1] Look for a service in your local area and make sure to dig away from the spaces they mark.- If you’re replacing a post, put the new post in the same spot as the old one. If you want to move it, get your utilities marked out.
- The United States: Call 811 to get your utilities marked out for free within 2 days. Once they are marked, you will have 10 days to install your mailbox post in a safe area.
- The United Kingdom: Use the service Linesearch Before U Dig (LSBUD) that will mark out the placement of utilities for free. Contact them through their website.
Check your local regulations and mark the mailbox’s location. Your country or local government may have regulations on the height and distance from the curb at which your mailbox has to sit.[2] Make a small cross on the ground with spray paint to mark a location that meets your local requirements.- United States Postal Service (USPS): Before installing or replacing your mailbox, contact your local post office to get their approval. The opening of your box must be 6 to 8 inches (15 to 20 cm) away from the curb, and 41 to 45 inches (100 to 110 cm) up from the surface of the road.[3]
- If you’re unsure about the regulations in your country or area, look at the height and placement of your neighbor's mailboxes for a guide on what yours should look like.
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Use a post digger to dig a hole around 20 in (51 cm) deep. A post hole digger is a tool designed for digging small yet deep holes. Use the post digger to make a hole in the location you marked until the hole is deep enough to hold the top of your post at the regulated height.[4]- Throw the dirt you dig out of the hole onto a tarp to make it easier to clean up once you’ve finished installing your mailbox post.
- If you have an old mailbox post you want to replace, use a shovel to lift it and its concrete base up and out of the ground. Use the hole from the old post to install your new one.
- If you don’t want to buy a post digger, you may be able to rent one from your local hardware store.
Add 4 to 6 in (10 to 15 cm) of gravel to the hole for drainage. Gravel, small stones, or something similar can allow water to drain and prevent the soil underneath from eroding. Pour 4 to 6 in (10 to 15 cm)} of gravel into the bottom of your hole.[5] This leaves you with a 14 to 16 in (36 to 41 cm) deep hole.- Gravel may be available from your local hardware store or nursery. You'll need about 10 to 30 lb (4.5 to 13.6 kg), depending on the gravel’s density and the size of your hole.
- If there's gravel in the hole from an old mailbox post you've removed, you might not need to add any more gravel as long as it sets your post at the right height.
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Place the post in the hole and check its height. Lift your mailbox post up and drop it into the hole so that it sits against the gravel. Use a tape measure to check that it is sitting at the right height above the curb, adding or removing gravel to adjust it as necessary.- USPS: Make sure the top of your mailbox post is 41 to 45 in (100 to 110 cm) above the ground when you place it inside the hole.[6]
- The best mailbox posts are made of wood or aluminum that can fall if a car hits them.[7] Most posts have 20 inches (51 cm) of extra length at the base so it can sit in the hole.
- Make your own mailbox post by cutting a 4 by 4 in (10 by 10 cm) piece of wood to 65 inches (170 cm) in length. Cut a 1 by 6 in (2.5 by 15.2 cm) piece so it slides under the mailbox and attach it to the top of the post with wood screws.[8]
- Make sure your chosen mailbox post is weather-treated so that it won’t rot or disintegrate over time. Purchase waterproof wood or waterproof the wood yourself.
Pour a bag of fast-setting concrete mix into the hole. Holding the mailbox post level, pour the concrete powder evenly around the post. Allow about 4 to 5 inches (10 to 13 cm) of space at the top so you can cover the area with soil. Check that your post is level and make any final adjustments before moving on.[9]- Concrete mix should be available at your local hardware store. You'll need roughly 50 pounds (23 kg), depending on the size and depth of your hole.
- Get someone else to hold the post while you pour the concrete around it.
- To install a mailbox post without concrete, insert a piece of wood into a metal post stake and pound it into the ground with a mallet. Remove the wood and insert your mailbox post.[10]
Cover the concrete with up to 1 US gal (3.8 L) water and mix. Check the manufacturer's instructions on the back of your mix to find out how much water is needed (most use less than 1 US gal (3.8 L) and pour it evenly over the powder. Mix the concrete with a stick to make sure the powder comes into full contact with the water.[11]- This is the last chance you’ll have to adjust your mailbox post before it is cemented into the ground. Use a level on all sides of the post to make sure it is even.
Leave the concrete to harden completely for 4 to 6 hours. The concrete will set after 20 to 40 minutes, but it usually takes at least 4 hours to fully harden.[12] Make sure the post is steady and secure, and that it won't be disturbed for at least a day before leaving it to set.- For extra stability, lean a few pieces of excess timber on each side of the post to hold it steady while the concrete dries.
- It may help to leave a sign on the post to reduce the chance that it gets knocked off center as it dries. Contact your mail carrier to make sure they don't disturb it.
- Most concrete mixes take 4 to 6 hours, but some may take longer. Check the manufacturer’s instructions for the recommended drying time.
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References
- ↑ https://call811.com/Before-You-Dig
- ↑ https://www.usps.com/manage/mailboxes.htm
- ↑ https://www.usps.com/manage/mailboxes.htm
- ↑ https://youtu.be/95d0wk1vZd4?t=93
- ↑ https://todayshomeowner.com/concrete/video/setting-posts-in-concrete-the-easy-way/
- ↑ https://www.usps.com/manage/mailboxes.htm
- ↑ https://www.usps.com/manage/mailboxes.htm
- ↑ https://youtu.be/8leUjoC80ik?t=26
- ↑ https://todayshomeowner.com/concrete/video/setting-posts-in-concrete-the-easy-way/
- ↑ https://youtu.be/8ZPZ881q3PA?t=49
- ↑ https://todayshomeowner.com/concrete/video/setting-posts-in-concrete-the-easy-way/
- ↑ https://todayshomeowner.com/concrete/video/setting-posts-in-concrete-the-easy-way/
- ↑ https://youtu.be/8leUjoC80ik?t=60
- ↑ https://youtu.be/XfJ7DL0WVuU?t=171
- ↑ https://faq.usps.com/s/article/Requirements-for-City-Delivery-Mail-Receptacles
Community Q&A
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- QuestionCan you use a 6 inch wide plate for an 8 inch wide mailbox?
DonaganTop AnswererYes, although an 8-inch plate would make a stronger mount. - QuestionDo you have to use cement?DonaganTop AnswererNo, but a concrete base would give you a much sturdier and longer-lasting installation.
- QuestionWhat if the mailman does not approve of the mailbox I use?DonaganTop AnswererYou should secure the approval of your local postmaster before you mount a new mailbox. The postmaster has the right to disapprove of any proposed installation.
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Tips
- Schedule the project for a day when you don’t expect to get mail. That way, you'll have plenty of time to get a new mailbox post and mailbox installed before it needs to be used.Thanks
- Wear the proper safety equipment when digging holes, cutting wood, or using concrete. Safety goggles, gloves, and a ventilator mask help reduce the chance of injury.Thanks
- Check the local regulations and requirements before installing a mailbox post. Some places may require a permit before you can install one.Thanks
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Things You’ll Need
- Mailbox post or a 4 by 4 in (10 by 10 cm) and a 1 by 6 in (2.5 by 15.2 cm) piece of wood
- Measuring tape
- Post hole digger
- Level
- Concrete powder
- Water
- Wood or metal screws
- Mailbox numbers
About This Article
Landscaper
This article was co-authored by Grant Wallace. Grant Wallace is a Landscaper and Owner of Grantlanta Lawn in Atlanta, Georgia. With over seven years of experience, he specializes in lawn maintenance and landscape installation. In 2012, he earned his BA from the University of West Georgia. Grant has been profiled in Shoutout Atlanta, Canvas Rebel, and Voyage ATL. This article has been viewed 151,130 times.
Co-authors: 3
Updated: June 5, 2024
Views: 151,130
Categories: Earthworks | Postal System
Article SummaryX
To install a mailbox post, you’ll need to dig a hole and secure your post with cement. Before you start digging, contact an expert to locate your utilities so you don’t accidentally hit a water pipe or power cable. In the US, you can call 811 to get yours marked for free. You should also check your local mailbox regulations. For example, the USPS requires your postbox to be 6 to 8 inches from the curb and 41 to 45 inches high. Once you’ve made your checks, use a post digger to dig a 20-inch deep hole. Fill the bottom 5 inches with gravel. Then, place your post in the hole and pour concrete powder around it, leaving 5 inches of space at the top. Cover the concrete with water, which will make it set. Finally, fill the hole with dirt and flatten it so it blends in with the ground. For more tips, including how to remove an old mailbox post, read on!
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Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 151,130 times.
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