A mailbox is often the first thing visitors notice when approaching a home. An old, worn, or leaning mailbox post can detract from a home’s curb appeal and even make mail delivery more difficult. In this article, we explain how to fix leaning mailboxes and give them a fresh coat of paint so they’re looking good as new.
How To Fix a Leaning Mailbox Post
Over time, mailboxes on posts tend to lean due to soil conditions, weather, rotting wood, or physical damage. If the lean is minor and the post isn’t broken, rotting, or damaged, it’s a simple repair job.
Start by digging a shallow hole around the perimeter of the mailbox post until the stake moves slightly. Next, wedge the post upright by filling the hole with hardscape materials, such as rocks, sand, gravel, or a concrete mix, and compact the hardscape material firmly into the hole. If you’re using rocks, pour in sand to fill any air pockets. Finally, replace any dirt and grass to ground level.
How To Choose a New Mailbox Post
If your mailbox post has seen better days, you’ll likely need to buy a new one from a hardware store or home center. Three common post materials include:
Molded plastic posts come in various shapes, colors, and designs. Some have extra features, such as newspaper holders. This durable option often outlasts its wood or metal counterparts.
Galvanized steel posts are a robust and sturdy option, but they’re prone to rusting. If you live in a humid area, aluminum posts don’t rust as easily, but they’re more expensive than galvanized steel options.
Wood posts are an economical and natural-looking choice, available in pine, cedar, redwood, and other wood varieties. Pressure-treated wood has a longer lifespan compared to untreated wood.
How To Install a New Mailbox Post
Once you’ve selected your new mailbox post, it’s time to install it. However, check with your local post office before you start. You might have to adhere to certain regulations concerning box placement, height, location, and distance.
You can reuse the old post hole or make a new one. If you’re making a new post hole, use a post-hole digger to dig 18 to 24 inches deep. Use a mason’s bar to pry up and remove large rocks.
Place the new post in the hole and add a few large rocks around the base for extra support. Pour 4 to 6 inches of gravel into the bottom of the hole to improve drainage, holding the post upright as you go. Use a level regularly to see if it’s straight.
Tamp down the soil every 6 to 12 inches with a shovel handle or mason’s bar. Double-check that the post is level before replacing the landscaping.
Painting or Staining Your Mailbox
If your mailbox has seen better days, you can freshen it up with a new coat of paint or stain. You’ll need the following tools and materials.
- Drop cloth
- Screwdriver
- Cleaning rag
- Soapy hot water
- Wire brush
- Painter’s tape
- Primer
- Sandpaper (optional)
- Spray paint or stain in your preferred color and in red for the flag
- Narrow foam brush
Work on a drop cloth in a well-ventilated area, such as the garage. Remove the mailbox from the post with a screwdriver. Start by cleaning the interior and exterior of the mailbox with the rag and hot, soapy water to remove mildew, mold, oils, dust, dirt, and lichen, then rinse the box and let it dry. You might need stronger cleaning materials for stubborn spots.
You can remove any rust with a wire brush. Wipe away loose metal shavings or paint flakes with a clean rag and wrap the mailbox flag in painter’s tape.
Spray the mailbox completely with primer for better paint adhesion. Be sure to cover the door, back, and underneath the door. Allow the primer to dry for 24 hours. Once the primer is dry, apply the paint in slow, even strokes and let it dry for 24 hours.
Sand the wooden mailbox evenly to remove any extra debris. Spray the stain in sections. If you’d like a light coating, wipe off any excess. For a darker coating, spray the stain a second time. Allow the stain to dry for 24 hours.
Once it’s dry, remove the painter’s tape from the flag. Paint the flag using a narrow foam brush and a dab of red metallic paint and let it dry for 24 hours.
