Super-Size Brick Mailbox

Installing and Bricking a Mailbox

Materials:

locking mailbox (see bottom of project for supplier)
shovels
wooden stakes
hammer
measuring tape
gravel or pressure-treated wood (if necessary)
level
concrete mix
water
hoe
wheelbarrow
1' x 4' lumber
spiral-shank galvanized nails
pry bar
pencil
hammer drill
brush
socket wrench
bricks and mortar
pointed trowel
level
circular saw with masonry blade
flat steel bars
caulk

Steps:

1. Be sure that your mailbox structure meets height requirements (anywhere from 41 to 45 inches) and setback requirements (anywhere from six to eight inches from the curb).

2. Remove the old mailbox.

4. Once the stakes have been re-driven into the corners of the hole, check for level between all four stakes. This will help you determine the level of your concrete. Mix concrete in a wheelbarrow according to the product directions. Stir with a hoe and always practice safety.

5. Pour the concrete mixture into the hole and spread it out to fill the corners and eliminate any holes or voids (figure C). Work quickly as you shovel the concrete and tap the form to rid the concrete of any air bubbles.

6. Once the concrete has set up (overnight), you are ready to build a 20" x 20" frame for another concrete pad. The original pad will hold the smaller pad and also serve as footing for the bricks. To build the frame, join together 1x4 wood pieces 20 inches by 20 inches with galvanized nails.

You'll need to stack one wood piece on top of the other to gain the correct height for the pad. Reinforce the frame with perpendicular slats so that it can withstand the pressure of the concrete.

8. Pry away the wood frame (figure E) to reveal the mailbox pedestal. Position the mailbox on the pedestal and mark the position for the anchors through the holes. Set the mailbox aside and use a hammer drill to make the holes for the lead anchors (figure F).

9. Insert the anchors with a hammer and set them flush to the concrete pad. Dust off the pad and set the mailbox back on it, aligning the holes with the anchors just inserted. Tighten the anchors using a socket wrench.

10. Dry fit bricks around the mailbox to calculate how many you'll need and how they will fit together (figure G). Mix the mortar. Throw a line of mortar onto the base concrete pad and begin laying bricks. Continue to lay several more courses, checking plumb and level as you go along. Also, be sure to tool your joints (figure H) as you work. Work the joint tool across the mortar to create concave joints.

11. Once you reach the large bottom drawer, you'll need to create a rowlock with cut bricks. You can use masonry blades on a circular saw (figure I). Be sure that each of the rowlock bricks are placed at a slight angle forward so that rainwater will roll off and forward (figure J).

12. Once the rowlock is complete, work to the top of the mailbox. Reinforce the top of the mailbox with flat steel bars and just lay the bricks on top (figure K). The idea is to rest the bars on bricks so that the weight of the top layer of bricks is on the rods, not the mailbox top. Create another rowlock at the front of the mailbox. After the mortar cures overnight, install the carrier flag and address sign.

13. Run caulk around the inside edges between the mailbox and the brick to fill the gaps (figure L). Fill the areas around the base of the mailbox with dirt and landscape.

14. Here is the mailbox with the finishing touches of carrier flag, address sign and landscaping (figure M). It takes four days to complete this project and costs around 600 dollars.