Have you had issues with your mailbox recently? Perhaps you recently checked your mail and noticed that everything inside of the mailbox was damp.
After a big storm, your mailbox might have issues with water getting inside. This shows that your mailbox has some sort of structural issue and isn’t waterproof.
Is there a way that you can fix this issue? Can you waterproof a mailbox or is it better to buy a new one?
Read on to learn how to waterproof a mailbox. Once you’ve learned how to do this, it’ll be easier to keep your mail safe.
Repair Any Cracks and Holes
One of the most common reasons why mail starts getting wet in mailboxes is that the mailbox has cracked. There is likely some sort of crack on the mailbox that is allowing moisture to get inside.
Examine the mailbox from all angles and identify any cracks. These cracks will need to be repaired so the mailbox will stop leaking.
The mailbox could have been damaged for a number of different reasons. A car might have bumped into it or it could have been damaged in a recent storm.
Any holes or cracks that you see in the mailbox must be addressed. The best thing to do is to use a rubber sealant product on the cracks.
This sealant will prevent leaking and you can resume using your mailbox. You should be able to solve issues with holes or cracks rather easily using the rubber sealant.
What if the holes are rather large? In this situation, using the sealant isn’t the most practical choice.
Sealant works best for cracks and small holes. Large holes are going to require you to use caulk.
Caulk is capable of fixing issues with leaks because it’ll keep moisture out of the mailbox. Another idea involves using weatherproofing tape to fix the issue.
Tighten Screws
Occasionally, issues with leaks will be related to the mailbox not being properly tightened. Take a look at the screws that are holding the mailbox together.
Check to see if the screws are loose or if they’re tight. You can use a screwdriver to tighten things up so that the leaks will not be such a problem.
What if your mailbox is held together with nails? This problem can be fixed by hammering any loose nails down.
You just want to check to see if the mailbox is tight. Once you’ve solved these issues, your mail should stop getting wet assuming that nothing else is wrong.
If you want to go further, you can protect the mailbox by caulking the nails or screws. Applying caulk should seal everything and make it less likely that moisture will enter the mailbox from those points.
Fix Problems with Rust
It’s possible for mailboxes to get rusty after they have been out in the elements for many years. This can be a big problem because rust damage will make the mailbox harder to use.
Sometimes the mailbox door might get stuck or it might keep opening up due to the presence of rust. It could be that the hinges or rusty or the rust might not allow the door to close properly.
You might need to replace damaged sections of the mailbox to get things in working order. If you see that the hinges are rusty, it’s likely best to buy new hinges and replace the old ones as soon as possible.
The latch will sometimes get rusty or become damaged due to years of use. This is another situation where buying a new latch is the best idea.
If the inside of the mailbox becomes rusty you might be able to keep using it. Of course, you don’t want your mail to be nasty and coated in rust.
Solve this issue by purchasing a mailbox liner that will fit inside your mailbox. This will protect the mail from rust as well as any moisture that might be present.
Generally, these liners are made out of durable materials such as aluminum. It’ll protect the mail and you should be able to keep using the mailbox for a while.
Can You Fix a Bent Mailbox?
Whether you can fix a bent mailbox or not will depend on the severity of the issue. It might also depend on the material that was used to make the mailbox.
If the mailbox is made out of plastic and it looks like it’s bent, it might be better to replace the whole mailbox. A metal mailbox might be fixable if you can pound it out and get the mailbox back into the right shape.
Take a hammer and see if you can gently pound the metal to get it into the right position. You might be able to bend the mailbox with your hands as well depending on how sturdy the metal is.
Essentially, you’re just trying to bend the metal mailbox back into shape. If this goes well, the mailbox might remain usable for quite some time.
However, sometimes it’s best to know when a mailbox has seen better days. If the mailbox doesn’t seem to be structurally sound any longer, it’d be better to get a new one.
Get a New Mailbox
Getting a new mailbox might be more practical than trying to waterproof your old one. It all depends on how damaged it is.
If your mailbox looks very damaged, it’s likely best to buy something new. You can order a new mailbox online if you’re so inclined.
There are also department stores that will sell mailboxes. You can go out and buy one that will be large enough to suit your needs.
It should be fine to use the same pole that you used for the old mailbox. So long as the mailbox post isn’t damaged, you can mount the new mailbox easily.
Build a New Mailbox
Building a new mailbox is a less expensive option that might appeal to you. If you’re on a budget, you might not want to spend much cash on a mailbox right now.
Some of the best mailboxes can be a bit pricey. It would likely be more cost-effective to build a mailbox out of wood.
Before moving forward, you should know that any mailbox that you build will need to adhere to postal service standards. Otherwise, the post office workers won’t deliver mail to it.
You can go down to the post office to get information about mailboxes and required specifications. It’s even possible to get documents that show you exactly how to build a regulation mailbox.
If you have the necessary skills, this might be more fun than buying a mailbox from a store. It could be a more time-consuming process, though, and it’d likely be far faster to just buy a mailbox from the store as soon as possible.
Final Thoughts
Now you know how you can fix a mailbox so that it will be waterproof. Typically, you’re going to have to identify cracks and holes in the mailbox first.
Fix the cracks and holes by using rubber sealant. If the holes are too large, you can try using caulk instead.
Use a screwdriver to tighten any loose screws. If your mailbox is held together with nails, you can try to hammer down loose nails to keep things tight.
Sometimes applying caulk around the nails and screws will help as well. Rusty parts will need to be replaced if they’re keeping the mailbox from closing properly.
Should the mailbox be in very bad shape, it’s likely best to replace it with a new one. You can buy something new or you can build one yourself so long as it meets the standards of the postal service.
I have a bachelor’s degree in construction engineering. When I’m not constructing or remodeling X-Ray Rooms, Cardiovascular Labs, and Pharmacies…I’m at home with my wife, two daughters and a dog. Outside of family, I love grilling and barbequing on my Big Green Egg and working on projects around the house.