Brick Mailbox, Columbia, SCThere are so many things we do to enhance the curb appeal of our homes. We maintain manicured lawns, do extensive landscaping, add decorations like fountains and statues and apply many other innovative ideas. But what if we told you one small addition could do the job way more easily than any of the above? You guessed it right. It is a brick mailbox. You must be wondering what the big deal about a brick mailbox is. To be frank, there is none. It is a humble structure, stationed at the side of the walkway up to your house. Yet, there is something in the simplicity and vintage feel of a brick mailbox that a conventional metal mailbox lacks. It adds a special touch to the facade of your house. A brick mailbox can even be customized with a variety of additions to personalize the structure.
The construction of a brick mailbox is not a highly complex job. It is one that can be completed in a day. Yet, the devil is in the details, and there are certain small things that can be ensured so that the brick mailbox looks even better, functions perfectly and lasts longer. Not all brick masonry contractors are capable of looking after these details. They may not even have knowledge of these factors. But not at Brick Mason Columbia. Our brick masons are as adept in this as in heavy-duty masonry work like house walls and floors. We consider every job, no matter how big or small, with the same importance and understand that a brick masonry wall or brick paver driveway can do as much for the look of the house as a brick mailbox. |
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In addition, we also undertakebrick mailbox repair and mortar repair for damaged or worn-out brick mailboxes. In fact, we pride ourselves in being the only mason company in Columbia, South Carolina capable of constructing such beautiful and durable brick mailboxes and doing skilled brick mailbox repairs. It is, after all, one of our specialties.
What are the advantages of having a brick mailbox?
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There are several, actually. The most apparent pro of having a brick mailbox will have to be the upgraded durability. Brick Mason Columbia knows how annoyed you feel when a naughty child or teenager vandalizes your metal mailbox that stands on a wooden post and knocks it down as they pass by. Or what a hassle it is when a car grazes the mailbox and leaves it on fallen on the ground. With a brick mailbox, you will have no such thing to worry about. A brick mailbox can take small hits and the maximum damage cause would be a chipped or scratched brick. Not only that, neither the metal of the mailbox nor the wood of the post is particularly resistant to heat, humidity, rain, hail or storms, which are common occurrences in South Carolina. But a brick mailbox not only stands strong come hail or high wind, but it also protects the metal receptacle from warping due to heat or rusting due to the moisture. The metal box is additionally protected against regular wear and tear as long as it is in its brick space. Since mailbox brick crack repair is easier than replacing a whole mailbox, brick mailboxes find greater favor with many homeowners.
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How can I get different looks in a brick mailbox?
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Do not think that just because it is a brick mailbox, there is only one look that it can have. There are many different looks that you can achieve with a brick mailbox. For example, the most apparent customization will have to be whether you give it a round top or a flat head. You can also play around with the body, adding ridges or depressions on the brick surface using an extra band of bricks or other material. You can also put the bricks in the body in different configurations to create patterns. The bricks can be painted or the mortar mixed with pigments to add a colored accent to the brick mailbox. An antique finish is a great idea if your house is made in Victorian or other vintage styles. Other than that, you can also add your nameplate or address plate, lights, “Beware of Dog” labels to your brick mailbox. A significant upgrade would be having a locked letterbox or multiple letterboxes in the single brick mailbox. Brick Mason Columbia does any number of customizations that you want, to make your brick mailbox unique and pretty.
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What should I ensure when getting a brick mailbox?
While a brick mailbox has a slew of advantages, you also need to make sure it is built well. An ill-constructed brick mailbox can give you more headache than peace. The first thing that you must be sure of is that the masonry contractors you have hired to make your brick mailbox are capable of doing a good job. After all, you want a professionally built brick mailbox, not a weekend DIY project that a kid was experimenting with. If you hire the brick contractors from Brick Mason Columbia, the higher quality of the work produced would be visible from the finished product itself. After that, you will have to ensure that the materials being used are top-grade, and not left-over masonry construction material that the brick masons did not want to throw away. A brick mailbox may be a small job, but it is still a brick masonry construction and low-grade materials can totally ruin its look and quality.
The foundation of the brick mailbox must be thick as well as wide enough to support the brickwork as well as the metal receptacle above. Another thing to be mindful of is the metal receptacle itself. It so often happens that when you use an ordinary metal box, it rusts and comes off its space. If you are getting a brick mailbox, you want the entire structure to have the same long lifespan. That is why you should get a special metal receptacle made of extra thick metal, with sturdy screws and rivets. Also make sure that when you place the metal box in the space of the brick column, the edge of the box should be clear enough of the edge of the space to allow easy opening and closing of its door. The flag should also be freely movable.
The foundation of the brick mailbox must be thick as well as wide enough to support the brickwork as well as the metal receptacle above. Another thing to be mindful of is the metal receptacle itself. It so often happens that when you use an ordinary metal box, it rusts and comes off its space. If you are getting a brick mailbox, you want the entire structure to have the same long lifespan. That is why you should get a special metal receptacle made of extra thick metal, with sturdy screws and rivets. Also make sure that when you place the metal box in the space of the brick column, the edge of the box should be clear enough of the edge of the space to allow easy opening and closing of its door. The flag should also be freely movable.
How does a good brick mason build a better brick mailbox?
There are obviously going to be differences in the work of an ordinary brick mason and a great one, apparent even in a small brick masonry work as a brick mailbox. For one, a good brick mason, like the ones at Brick Mason Columbia will not create a round top for the brick mailbox by filling in the uneven spaces with mortar. They will rather cut the bricks into wedge-like shapes and fit them along with the round head. This way, less of the mortar, which is the softer of the two, will be exposed to the erosive forces of nature and the brick mailbox will take less damage. The good mason will also not break the bricks with a trowel, hammer or other tools - rather, they will use a saw to shape the bricks perfectly and create clean edges. A good brick mason will do a lot of calculations to ensure that the foundation will be able to hold the brick mailbox, as slanting ones are a large problem with many homeowners. They would also be more confident in creating any patterns and designs in the mailbox, according to your wishes. Not only that, a good brick mason will be able to install the metal receptacle in the space of the brick structure firmly. The dimensions would be accurate, there will be no wobbles and the operation of the mailbox will be easy and without getting stuck to the adjacent brickwork.
What can I do to maintain my brick mailbox?
Just like any other brick masonry structure, a brick mailbox also requires regular maintenance, and timely repairs too, if necessary. Most brick masonry structures benefit from a good wash with a hose from time to time, and so does a brick mailbox. It helps keep off dust and particles, since a mailbox is always subjected to the stressors of the exterior. It is a good idea to check the brick masonry from time to time for loose bricks, cracks, damaged mortar and any other sign of distress that might be there. Also check the metal receptacle to see if it is starting to rust, or if it has come loose from its space. The constant exposure to heat, moisture and winds can cause weathering of the surface of the brick mailbox, especially after a storm. The damp conditions also make the brick masonry especially susceptible to mold, rot, mildew and other fungi. The moisture itself might be causing direct damage to the bricks. Using pesticides and keeping the brick mailbox as dry as possible protects it from these threats to a large extent. Also keep the area around the mailbox clear of weeds or any other plants for that matter. Once a plant starts to take root in the masonry, it will be hard to stop the damage. If you are a South Carolina resident, you may call us at Brick Mason Columbia from time to time to check your brick mailbox for latent damage or threats and do necessary mailbox brick repairs and repointing.
A brick mailbox is a great addition to a house at a fairly low cost. Not only does it extend the life of the mailbox by several years, but it also makes it look less skeletal and more decorative. If you are looking for masonry contractors to construct a brick mailbox for you or are planning to get one in the future, do not forget to give Brick Mason Columbia a call.
A brick mailbox is a great addition to a house at a fairly low cost. Not only does it extend the life of the mailbox by several years, but it also makes it look less skeletal and more decorative. If you are looking for masonry contractors to construct a brick mailbox for you or are planning to get one in the future, do not forget to give Brick Mason Columbia a call.
