When you think of mailboxes, you likely think of the standard curbside model that everyone knows. These mailboxes have been popular for many decades, with their distinguishing features being the mailbox itself and the flag.
Curbside mailboxes are the most prone to damage, and their doors must be able to hold mail safely for the USPS to deliver. But other mailbox types exist, and though rarer, damage can occur to these units as well. Often, the doors get vandalized first, as thieves try to break locks or break open mailboxes. This can lead to problems as serious as stolen identity or checks.
If your mailbox door takes damage, the good news is that often, simply replacing the door will fix the problem, as well as upgrading to a locking mailbox if needed. This guide will show you how to repair mailbox doors of all types.
Curbside Mailbox Doors. Curbside mailboxes are generally small enough so that when a door becomes damaged, the entire customer compartment is damaged. For this reason, it is the best practice to simply replace the entire customer compartment with another of the same type, or to upgrade to a locking curbside mailbox if damage or theft occurs.
The good news is that though an entire compartment will need replacing in most cases, this is usually inexpensive and easy to do. Curbside mailboxes, like wall-mounted mailboxes, are simple to install. If only the compartment is damaged, you will not need to bury a new post.
To replace a broken door, simply remove the old compartment from its post, and replace the broken unit with a new one. Mounts are also available for posts if one is needed, and these, too, are inexpensive. Be sure to obey USPS regulations for curbside mailboxes.
If the mailbox is mounted into stone or brick, it will likely not suffer damage to the compartment itself, and you will need to replace only the door. Some mailbox doors are available on the market for this purpose and can snap onto the old mailbox easily.
For locking curbside mailboxes, you can purchase new locks for a door that no longer locks, or for a broken lock. These, too, are do not cost too much.
Wall-Mounted Mailboxes. As with curbside models, wall-mounted mailboxes are small enough to require replacing the entire unit if the door is damaged, though locks can sometimes be purchased for replacement, depending on the model. Installation for a new wall-mounted mailbox is simple.
Door Replacement for Centralized Mailboxes. Centralized mailboxes, which range from outdoor CBU’s to wall-mounted and recessed units, are often found in apartments, commercial complexes, lobbies, and clubhouses. The new, USPS approved 4C units are made of heavy-duty aluminum with steel hinges, making them less likely than other mailbox types to suffer from tampering, vandalism, or weathering damage. Even the older, 4B units, and mailboxes intended for private delivery, are similar in that they contain multiple tenant doors inside a single cabinet.
However, it is always possible that components can break, and because centralized mailboxes are far more expensive than their simpler counterparts, replacement parts and instructions are more readily available. These include locks, doors, tenant plates, and more.
Regular tenant doors can be replaced if you are able to open the master door, so contact the USPS if assistance is needed. For private delivery, the USPS will not be needed as you will have access to the master lock. Opening the master door is necessary to reach the components.
Generally, you will then need to remove the hinge rod, replace the door, and then replace the hinge rod and install the locking mechanism. You may need to also replace the tenant lock and distribute new keys to your tenants. Instructions should be available for your specific mailbox type at National Mailboxes. Look for maintenance guides on your mailbox’s product page.
Parcel Locker Doors. Parcel lockers are usually included in USPS-approved, centralized mailboxes. Replacing these doors, in the unlikely event they are damaged, is a bit more complex than other types of mailbox doors.
Parcel locker doors are installed similarly to regular tenant doors. The master door will need to open, and the hold open mechanism removed along with the door spring and hinge rod. After this, a new door can be installed, and the parts replaced.
Since parcel locker doors have locks that are installed and managed by the USPS, it will be necessary to contact the postal office when putting in a new door. Once the door is installed, the USPS will need to install a new lock onto the door, which will hold customer keys until retrieval.
If your parcel lockers are for private delivery, you will not need to perform this final step, and will be able to install the lock yourself.
Centralized Mailbox Master Loading Doors. This door is the main one that opens all tenant compartments at once and allows the USPS to deliver mail. If this door fails, a replacement door will need to be ordered, and the USPS will once again need to install the lock once the replacement is complete.
Replacement is complicated, as the master doors will need to be opened, with the help of the USPS unless the mailboxes are for private delivery. The hold mechanisms and inert assembly will need to be disengaged, and several other parts removed before replacement occurs. After the old door is slid out, the new one may be put in, and all the parts put back.
If a new lock is needed, contact the USPS for this purpose and to finish the installation.
Have Questions? We Can Help
Here at National Mailboxes, we’re committed to providing you excellent mail security and safety at a reasonable cost and wholesale prices. If you have questions about purchasing or replacing any parts, be sure to contact us today.
Learn More: Changing/Replacing Tenant Door for CBU & 4C Mailboxes
