It was two days before our trip to Hershey, Pennsylvania to visit our son when a problem arose... a big problem!
We'd noticed that our mailbox pole had been leaning the last week, but we kept thinking the new mailperson was just a little forceful closing the flap on the mailbox. Art just pushed the mailbox back to straighten it.
The entire area under the pole was covered with ground cover so we didn't even realize the pole was embedded in a huge clunk of concrete.
When we looked at the bottom where the pole met the concrete, we saw the problem. The galvanized pole was rusted!!!
Aggravation!
We could see that the mailbox was installed on October 2, 1982.
Art called me out and we tried to dig out the concrete block to install a new pole. After several HOT, sweaty, tiring minutes, I told Art this was futile. Even IF we could dig out the concrete, where would we dispose of it? How could we even carry it?
I had an idea. Why not create a concrete base to hold up the pole with a hollow tile? As we talked the idea through, we expanded on the idea. How about drilling an anchor into the concrete? Art also drilled a hole in the pole to stick the anchor into. He also bought some super strong glue to secure the anchors.
After the anchors were done, the hollow tile was glued onto the existing concrete block.
We let the pole dry for the night.
The following day, we poured the Quikrete (concrete) and mounded the top so water wouldn't pool and cause more rust.
All in all, we're quite pleased with ourselves and hope it works and doesn't topple over. It's quite stressful when things like this happen just before we're about to leave on a trip!
We'd noticed that our mailbox pole had been leaning the last week, but we kept thinking the new mailperson was just a little forceful closing the flap on the mailbox. Art just pushed the mailbox back to straighten it.
When we looked at the bottom where the pole met the concrete, we saw the problem. The galvanized pole was rusted!!!
Aggravation!
We could see that the mailbox was installed on October 2, 1982.
Art called me out and we tried to dig out the concrete block to install a new pole. After several HOT, sweaty, tiring minutes, I told Art this was futile. Even IF we could dig out the concrete, where would we dispose of it? How could we even carry it?
I had an idea. Why not create a concrete base to hold up the pole with a hollow tile? As we talked the idea through, we expanded on the idea. How about drilling an anchor into the concrete? Art also drilled a hole in the pole to stick the anchor into. He also bought some super strong glue to secure the anchors.
After the anchors were done, the hollow tile was glued onto the existing concrete block.
We let the pole dry for the night.
The following day, we poured the Quikrete (concrete) and mounded the top so water wouldn't pool and cause more rust.
All in all, we're quite pleased with ourselves and hope it works and doesn't topple over. It's quite stressful when things like this happen just before we're about to leave on a trip!
We called the Mailbox Man and they installed a brand new mailbox and pole for us. Quite reasonable, too.
ReplyDeleteThey used a vinyl pole, not a metal one, and it is set in concrete below ground.
Mailbox Man? Thanks so much. I didn't know there was such a repair person. I'll let my friend know because someone actually drove their car into their mailbox and it's leaning.
DeleteNeat name! Good to know, mahalo!
DeleteGood job on the smart fix, Art and Kay!
If the old pole was installed in 1982 it's had a nice long life! Your fix looks nice. Are you going to let the plants cover it up again?
ReplyDeleteOh yes, we'll definitely replant more ground cover again. I've cut some of the plants and are rooting them in water before I can transplant them under the mailbox.
DeleteVery resourceful fix
ReplyDeletedon't tell your neighbors or they will have you helping everyone...lol!
ReplyDeleteIngenious. Necessity is the mother of invention.
ReplyDeleteYou are those people we all wish lived next door
ReplyDeletewell look at you two do it yourselfers!!!! how very clever!
ReplyDeleteKay, I think it looks just perfect. Very ingenious indeed, but too bad you had to spend so much time fixing it. Have a great week.
ReplyDeleteHope this works!
ReplyDeleteSo smart, you guys!!
ReplyDeleteVery clever! It looks neat and tidy.
ReplyDeleteYou folks do such clever work!
ReplyDeleteGreat job! I think I would be asking you and Art for everything if I lived next door. But for now it's a bit of a trip. :-)
ReplyDeleteWe had the flap not stay close for many days. When wind and rain came around, it would just fall down. So I put little magnets on the inside of the door flap. Problem fixed.
ReplyDeleteYours seemed really bad, that rust looks terrible. I hope it stays strong
Our flap keeps falling too. We were just talking about magnets to keep it up.
DeleteIt's very irritating when the simple things in life we take for granted goes to all heck. Then the simple thing requires a big fix not a simple one. Good to know about a Mailman repair person. I'm not at all handy so I end up having to call someone and paying for it.
ReplyDeleteYou guys are very talented. For sure it will work.
ReplyDeleteWhat an inspired solution! Well done. And bon voyage!
ReplyDeleteAnother job well done.
ReplyDeleteSomething ALWAYS happens just before a trip.
Wow. Awesome job!!
ReplyDelete