The pond property I bought last year has a brick mailbox that is listing 10 or 15 degrees. Apparantly a few years ago a kid in a Civic hit the neighbors brick mailbox (demolished it) then came to rest against mine. Initially I thought I would have to tear it down and replace it, but I've been reading about folks who have successfully repaired them using everything from liquification to pushing them straight with a truck. There is a utility pole opposite the "lean" so I thought I would wrap a chain around it (at ground level) and use a 8K # come-along to pull it straight, shim it and pour a new foundation under the low side. Seem reasonable? These are the only pix I currently have of the offending mailbox, but they will give you a better idea.
Dig around it to give foundation room to move, use 4x4s on the side to get pressure from the chain to evenly distribute the pressure and pull it upright with the come along. Compact soil around exist foundation and pour a decent collar around it to stabilize.
Brick and mortar can take compressive strength, but not side load so the lumber is important.
You can straighten it by digging out the back side from the road. Then use the come-along to pull it straight. Dig out about 8" and it should be enough to level it. You may get it angled to one side but you can repeat the process. I would secure the come-along to my truck. Take your time or you will say:" I wish I hadn't dun dat". After you have it straight, pour concrete under it and up a couple of inches on the post. The wider the footer the least chance of doing it over. Good luck.
Two ponds, 13 and 15 acres on the Mattaponi River.
You have different rules and such with regard's to mailbox construction and liability issues.
Mailboxes get wiped out all the time around here due to snow and ice, and the fact that the gal with the cell phone stuck to her face can't multitask in these conditions.
I have a bunch of 4" schedule 80 structural pipe, that I was going to make 7' long mailbox posts for a number of us in this area. Nope! If a Honda Civic hit one of these and someone was injured, that would be a lawsuit. Only can use wood post's that easily shear off.
I would also be cautious of strapping a winch on a utility pole. The utility pole is not yours to do with what you want to. It belongs to the utility, and for their specific purpose. That could also be a major lawsuit.
JKB, what about pouring some concrete, installing a short section of pipe with a collar on it, and a corresponding collar on the pipe that is attached to the mailbox, using two 1/4" Grade 2 bolts? They'd shear off pretty quick if hit.
I agree about using the wood to distribute the load evenly over the post when applying pressure. Don't want to crack it or break off a corner of a brick.
JKB, what about pouring some concrete, installing a short section of pipe with a collar on it, and a corresponding collar on the pipe that is attached to the mailbox, using two 1/4" Grade 2 bolts? They'd shear off pretty quick if hit.
I'll think of something that is easy to replace. Yours is a good idea.
Between county snow plows, and gals with cell phones, mailboxes have relatively short lives up here. Trying to replace one during the winter can be a bother.
