Ask Me Help Desk - Frost Line in the Ground?

I'm having to remount the Mailbox as the Township Plow winged it a couple weeks ago when we had that last blast of the season.. Now that the snow is gone I've started by digging a hole.. The original setup is a 4 X 4 post set in an old milk can.. I dug down about 18 inches and made the hole wide enough with the idea of pouring some cement around the can filling in the hole.. I would like to hammer some rebar into ground as well in the hopes of keeping the base secure.. I attempted to hammer a piece of rebar but only got about 6 inches before bending the bar.. For a total of say 24 inches below ground level... Now my question, Would it be safe to say possibly another month before the Frost is all gone out of the ground??

You are obviously "up nawth". Our Dogwoods are blooming in Atlanta!! Wait another month to be sure.

The driven rebars will do about zilch for stabilizing that setup. Have you had the area checked for utilities you might hit?
Once you get that can concreted in, what is the plan for cleaning up the mess the next time a plow wings it? Jackhammer? What damage resulted from the recent hit? How will you get the mailbox to the correct height? Just trying to visualize all this.

Quote:

Originally Posted by smearcase

The driven rebars will do about zilch for stabilizing that setup. Have you had the area checked for utilities you might hit?
Once you get that can concreted in, what is the plan for cleaning up the mess the next time a plow wings it? Jackhammer? What damage resulted from the recent hit? How will you get the mailbox to the correct height? Just trying to visualize all this.

I live in a Rural Area so it's a Rural Mailbox at the end of my Laneway... The mailbox is actually across the road from the laneway and the side away from the box leads down into a ditch.. I checked with the Mail Lady before digging and the mailbox opening has to be 46 inches from ground level.. The only mess will be access gravel which can easily be spread elsewhere... If your leaning towards one of those 36 inch spikes you pound into the ground that would hold a 4 X 4 post, I thought of that but through time they tend to lean into the ditch.. BTW I wasn't the only one with Mailbox wows that day... Seems the Plow Driver was either having a bad hair day or suffering from Depth Perception issues and trying to bone up on his skills.. We really only had maybe 2 major snow dumps of any consistency this winter so there was never any serious all day plowing done... Cheers

I worked for a state highway administration that replaced mailboxes that were damaged during plowing operations but that was when funds were more available than they are today. I don't know if they are still doing that or not. Have you or others contacted the town, county etc?
I wasn't really leaning toward any particular type of installation but wondering what it will take to repair it the next time with a milk can buried in concrete etc.
Could you plant a post on the house side of the ditch (embedded in concrete) with a longer horizontal support (properly braced)? But I must admit that it too would probably be destroyed with a hit from the plows.
Actually, one of those spikes you mentioned, anchored in concrete might be about as good as it gets. If it gets destroyed, get another one and move a few feet and do it again.
Stay tuned, maybe someone will respond with a better idea. I have a brick structure that holds my mailbox where I live in a 25 mph development. So far, so good but if it ever gets wiped out, I will have a mess on my hands too. The perfect mailbox installation is still waiting to be designed I think. Good luck.

Quote:

Originally Posted by smearcase

I worked for a state highway administration that replaced mailboxes that were damaged during plowing operations but that was when funds were more available than they are today. I don't know if they are still doing that or not. Have you or others contacted the town, county etc?
I wasn't really leaning toward any particular type of installation but wondering what it will take to repair it the next time with a milk can buried in concrete etc.
Could you plant a post on the house side of the ditch (embedded in concrete) with a longer horizontal support (properly braced)? But I must admit that it too would probably be destroyed with a hit from the plows.
Actually, one of those spikes you mentioned, anchored in concrete might be about as good as it gets. If it gets destroyed, get another one and move a few feet and do it again.
Stay tuned, maybe someone will respond with a better idea. I have a brick structure that holds my mailbox where I live in a 25 mph development. So far, so good but if it ever gets wiped out, I will have a mess on my hands too. The perfect mailbox installation is still waiting to be designed I think. Good luck.

Here in Eastern Ontario, Yes at one time you could get reimbursed by the Township... But as we know the cost of replacement in today's prices for durability has quadrupled.. Therefore Township won't cover the cost anymore.. Your closing sentence says it all and I agree... No doubt though as I had mentioned not being the only one falling prey to a winded mailbox the Plow Driver was reprimanded.. He had come down our Concession a few days later and as I was standing outside he made a wide arc around all the mailboxes so we know he got the message...

Maybe some tall delineators/reflectors on sturdy steel posts (similar to square ones -about 2 inch square posts that many highway depts. Use for sign supports -stop signs, etc). Maybe like a friend of mine says-"about like putting a bandaid on your nose before someone smacks it with a baseball bat", but at least they could tell where the edge of the road is.

Quote:

Originally Posted by smearcase

Maybe some tall delineators/reflectors on sturdy steel posts (similar to square ones -about 2 inch square posts that many highway depts. use for sign supports -stop signs, etc). Maybe like a friend of mine says-"about like putting a bandaid on your nose before someone smacks it with a baseball bat", but at least they could tell where the edge of the road is.

You Bet,, Got that covered , even my Grandson says Poppa if he hits it again... Well I'll leave it at that for one of those Poppa / Grandson moments... lol...