The U.S. Postal Service is asking all Maine homeowners to inspect and repair their mailboxes during the week of May 15, which is National Mailbox Improvement Week.
“Repairing suburban and rural mailboxes improves the appearance of our communities and makes delivering and receiving the mail safer for our carriers and customers,” said Elizabeth Johnson, USPS Maine District Manager, Customer Service and Sales.
The Postal Service makes this annual request because of the wear and tear that occurs to mailboxes every year. This is especially important after the effects of the past winter.
Some of the typical activities that may need to be done include:
• Checking to see that bees and hornets have not nested in or around mailboxes and removing any nests.
• Checking the height of your mailbox to be sure the carrier can see inside for your out-going mail. Generally, mailboxes should be installed at a height of 41 to 45 inches from the road surface to the bottom of the box.
• Leveling the approach to your mailbox if it’s sunken or washed out.
• Repairing any damage to the mailbox flag, door, or latch.
• Replacing or adding house numbers to buildings and mailboxes so they are current and match the community’s E-911 address plan.
• Remounting a mailbox post if loosened.
• Replacing loose hinges on a mailbox door.
• Repainting mailboxes that may have rusted or started peeling paint.
If homeowners plan to install a new mailbox or replace a worn one, they should use only Postal Service-approved traditional or contemporary mailboxes. Customers may use a custom-built mailbox, but they must consult with their local Post Office to ensure it conforms to guidelines applying to flag, size, strength, and quality of construction. Limited-service and full-locking mailboxes are also available options. However, customers should be careful when purchasing or building mail receptacles because the use of unapproved boxes is prohibited.
“We ask for the cooperation of our customers in ensuring that mail receptacles are safely installed and in good working order so we can give Maine citizens the best possible service,” said Johnson, who is the Lead Executive for the Postal Service in Maine.
For more information on the use of names or numbers on mailboxes, or for answers to any other mailbox questions, please contact the post office that serves your local community.
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