Setting a Mailbox Post in Concrete

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.