Okay so a client called with a problem that their mailbox was listing to starboard– or to port, depending on the wind direction. Wobbling.
So I pulled it out– and whoosh, it came right out, I was amazed the thing had been standing up at all, it was only buried about 5 inches deep.
So I started to dig, and I discovered why my predecessor had gone so shallow– CLUNK there was a big rock right where I planned to go.
So, without calling 1 800 digsafe, I dug around it. See the straight rock edge at lower right of hole.
And then I poured in a 50 lb bag of quick setting cement.
I wanna tell you, when they say quick setting, they mean it– it was hot and humid and when i poured the water in, instead of taking 20 minutes, the cement set up almost immediately. Fortunately I had already made the post plumb!
I also adjusted the height of the box to USPS specs (41-45 inches). And I covered the cement with dirt and stones, not pictured. Viola. That thing is not going anywhere.