Winter is coming, which makes now the perfect time to repair
mailboxes. It’s fairly common for individuals to repair mailboxes after winter,
but if you take the time to fix them up now, winter won’t be nearly as tough on
them.
A mailbox that is old or damaged needs maintenance before
the winter months to avoid extra work in the cold. This is especially true if
residents need to perform maintenance on mailbox posts. Mailboxes that are
damaged by snow plows are often the result of snow, not the plow itself. Many
places have rules regarding replacing a mailbox, and the majority of the time a
damaged mailbox does not meet the criteria. For example, many areas require the
mailbox to be physically struck by the plow itself, not the snow from the plow.
There are steps you can take to prepare your mailbox for
winter. That first step comes with the mailbox post. In general you can choose
between a wooden post, a plastic post, or a metal post. A sturdy post made from
high-quality wood is recommended. Plastic can also be durable depending on the
manufacturer. If you plan to go with a steel post, use caution. Your mailbox
must give way in an accident or you will be liable. In addition, before
installing a post be sure you meet the USPS standards, which you can find here. If you have a
mailbox post that is rotting, damaged, or can be easily shifted, make sure to
repair that now before the ground freezes. Once the ground freezes replacing a
mailbox post will become very difficult or even impossible.
The post is the most important step for preparing your
mailbox for winter, but there are other steps as well. For example, you should
check on your mailbox hinge to see if it is rusty or otherwise damaged. If your
hinge is damaged mailboxes may fall open exposing your mail to the elements. It’s
also important that your address is clear on the mailbox, preferably using
reflective numbers so it is easier to see.
Take these steps to fix your mailbox before the problem is
too severe in winter!
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