How to Build a Brick Mail Box

Mailboxes are important, but they are also decorative. A mailbox that matches your house can add character and value to your home.

Things You'll Need

• shovel masonry towel electrical cable rated for outdoor underground applications framing square wheelbarrow premade cement mortar level trowel tape measure work gloves bricks mailbox of your choice

Instructions

1. Take out the current mailbox if you have one. Remove the dirt that is around the post.

2. Dig a hole for the footer. This should be at least 9 inches deep. The hole should be at least 3 inches wider than the mailbox will be.

3. Lay the underground outdoor electrical cable where the mailbox is going to be. Allow slack for your cable to move.

4. Take your premade cement mortar and mix it in your wheelbarrow. This should look like oatmeal when it is ready.

5. Pour your mixture over the end of the electrical cable. Use the back of your shovel to smooth the concrete so that it is level. Fill the hole up completely.

6. Wait for the cement to dry into hard concrete.

7. While waiting for everything to dry, you can still continue working. Create a 12-inch-deep trench from your mailbox to the breaker box.

8. Lay the cable cord into the trench.

9. Connect the end of the cable to the breaker box. If you are not an electrician, get a licensed electrician to do this for you.

10. Once the concrete is dry, you can begin to lay the concrete-block foundation. This will be made of 8-inch by 8-inch by 16-inch blocks.

11. Use a trowel to mark the points for placement of your blocks.

12. Use your framing square to mark the outside edges. You can use your framing square for any edges where the blocks will be placed.

13. Take your cement mortar and mix it in your wheelbarrow.

14. Lay the mortar along the line where the edge of the block will sit. Get enough mortar down to ensure it sticks.

15. Lay the block on the mortar and push it down into place.

16. Lay the next brick beside the first brick, leaving no space between them.

17. Repeat Step 16 until you have the base of your mailbox laid down.

18. Place mortar on top of the bricks and begin laying the bricks into place. Be sure to push the bricks down into place to ensure their grip.

19. Continue repeating Steps 17 and 18 until you have a good start. Check to ensure that the level of your bricks is correct.

20. Use your framing square to make sure you are keeping the size of the square base.

21. Continue putting bricks on until you get close to the height you want your mailbox to be.

22. Once you're at the top, put down a lot of mortar.

23. Place your mailbox onto the mortar and push down hard to ensure it stays in place.

24. Starting in the middle of the side of the mailbox, put down mortar.

25. Take your brick and circle the mailbox for extra support. Allow everything to dry and you have your mailbox.

Tips & Warnings

• Check all of your local codes so that you do not violate any city ordinances or codes.

• Cement will stick to your bare skin. It will also make your hands extremely dry. Wear work gloves to prevent this.