Can You Put A Lock On Your Mailbox

Replacing a Mailbox lock is simple even if you lot've never washed information technology before and/or can't go into it. Allow's review the process with images to guide the states.

Recently I moved into an older habitation and establish the mailbox key had issues opening the lock. After a few weeks, the mailbox fundamental refused to open it. Great! No affair what I tried (graphite powder and spray included), later a few days of not getting my mail, I knew it was time to replace the lock.

Although nosotros oftentimes focus on Technology, I love handy DIY tricks, and so I thought I'd share this little take a chance I had a few days ago. I started the run a risk by calling my local post office, and that was a waste of time. They suggested a local locksmith and hung up on me. Yelp pointed me at a local locksmith who quoted me $250 for an onsite replacement plus an additional $150 an hour after 30 minutes.

So yeah, you tin can guess the path we're going to accept on this one. Time to get medieval on the mailbox lock!

Replace Mailbox Lock

Thankfully I have a cordless drill, and then I grabbed a bit that fit nicely into the keyhole of the lock. The primary goal hither is not damaging the housing holding the lock, so don't use a lot of force per unit area when drilling into the lock. Just drill straight and utilize consequent pressure.

Note: If you lot're non the charlatan / handy type or don't have a drill, wait for your mail carrier. They will have access to the back of the mailbox, and y'all can perform the steps below from inside the box. Information technology'south not nearly as fun, merely that is some other option.

In one case you drill through the unabridged lock mechanism, the mailbox door should open easily.

Slide the lock bar and metal prune property the lock mechanism confronting the door. In some cases, the lock nut may still be attached to the lock. Use a wrench to accept off the nut (although, in my case, the drill took care of that for me).

Without the clip belongings the lock in identify, popup the unabridged mechanism and bring it to a local locksmith. In my example, although my original lock was xv-years-old, he had an exact match that toll me just $12. However, if you cannot detect a local locksmith (or don't take time), grab a replacement mailbox lock from Amazon. The National Mailbox Lock C9100 should do the play a trick on for clockwise rotation or the C9200 for counterclockwise.

Note: If you're an HOA or Flat complex and need more than i lock, here'south a link for the C9100 lock or C9200 in bulk.

Once you lot accept the new lock, slide it into the lock housing the reattach it in a locked configuration (lock bar out).

Spiral on the nut, and y'all're done!

Summing Up

The new mailbox lock I purchased was a fleck pasty. I solved this with a piffling Graphite Powder. Amazon has it listed for ~$5; nevertheless, I found it at a local HW shop for under $ii the next day.

In all, the entire job took no longer than 5 minutes (not counting the trip to the locksmith). Corking, because the quote from the locksmith $250. I've ever enjoyed DIY projects, especially the ones with a drill involved. It's an excellent bonding opportunity for my son and me and a expert way to show with a footling work; almost whatever job is possible with a piddling time and patience.

Is information technology Legal to fix your Mailbox Lock?

Since publishing the DIY mailbox lock fix, several readers take expressed concern about the legal aspects of fixing your mailbox lock yourself. Although I can't requite legal advice, I did find a page on USPS.com regarding mailbox maintenance. Along with a guide on how to install a new mailbox, it as well guides maintenance.

USPS.COM: Mailbox Maintenance

Mailboxes take a chirapsia from the weather, so we recommend an annual mailbox checkup to avert harm to your postal service or difficulty identifying your address.

- Tighten loose hinges on the door
- Have care of rusty or loose parts
- Supervene upon missing or faded house numbers
- Continue the path to your mailbox articulate

Based on this information directly from the United states of america Postal service, it'southward articulate that the responsibility for maintenance and care of the mailbox falls on the property owner/manager.

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