Steps to repair your brick mailbox

When your brick mailbox is hit by a vehicle there are a few steps you can take to protect yourself and ensure the job is done right.

1. File a police report:   Whether it is a hit and run, a neighbor, delivery vehicle or anyone besides a family member, it is important that you document the accident with police. Besides the mailbox being damaged there could be other costly damages that are not immediately noticed.  Sprinkler heads or the sprinkler system could need to be repaired depending on where pieces of the mailbox land in your yard. There could be damage to the curb or sidewalk that may need to be repaired. Sod may need to be replaced depending on if the vehicle spilled any fluids on your lawn or drove through your yard leaving deep ruts. Sometimes after an accident it could take months for your mailbox to be repaired if you are having problems with their insurance company or other problems dealing with your HOA needing several approvals.
2. Do not let them be involved in finding someone to repair the damage:   If your car is hit by another vehicle on the road, you wouldn’t let the driver at fault find a repair shop for you. The same should be true for your mailbox. There is a huge conflict of interest when you allow them to help in finding someone to do the repair. They look for the most inexpensive and you want it repaired correctly. These are never going to be the same and often can end up with a bigger problem. You don’t want to end up with a huge disaster like these homeowners did by letting the wrong person repair their mailbox.

   

   

3. Don’t throw away any of the broken mailbox:  It might not be easy in finding brick that matches your home and the original brick mailbox. Often an HOA will require the mailbox to match the house and many of the bricks from the old mailbox can be reused. Yes, cleaning up the street, sidewalk and yard is usually necessary  but everything larger than a golf ball should be kept on the property until the repair is completed.
4. Get multiple estimates:  If an insurance company is involved the may require up to three estimates. After you submit the estimates they will send you a check. You then will pay to have the repair done and you may choose whomever you feel will do the best job.
5. Have a new concrete foundation poured: Less than half of all brick mailboxes built by the home builders use a concrete foundation with rebar. Some mailboxes will have a little mortar slapped down first and others will have nothing at all. This can lead to the mailbox leaning in the future or the mortar cracking and the mailbox not lasting as long as it should. Make sure a new foundation is poured so the new mailbox has a strong base to be built on.
6. Always get a new steel mailbox insert:  Don’t let anyone reuse the old steel insert. New replacements are inexpensive and could be stronger than the original. Getting a new box can prevent you from dealing with rust or door damage sooner than you would need to.

   

7. Have your new brick mailbox water sealed:  After your repair or rebuild is complete wait 30 days and make sure a brick water repellant sealer is used. Unlike the brick on your home that is heavily protected from rain by your roof, your brick mailbox doesn’t have anything to shed away the rain. Water sealants applied every few years can extend the life of the new structure.