Hi i want to know is possible to fix this ? And if so how would i go about doing it ?. Or should I just replace it ?
Hi @Jay21,
I think it would be possible to repair it by removing the hanging piece, back blocking the hole, and then applying a render compound and painting it.
Do you have access to the back of the hole in any way? Can you lift the letterbox and see up through the bottom of it? Or is that hole the only access point?
If you could see the back of the hole, it would make life easier, but it isn't necessarily essential.
I would start by removing the broken piece from the opening so there is a clear hole.
You can then take a small length of 42 x 11mm H3 Treated Pine and use some Liquid Nails to glue it to the back of the hole. If you can't get easy access to the back, you can put a screw into the timber to act as a handle, then slip the timber through at an angle, then position it and pull on the screw to stick it to the back of the hole.
Once the glue has set and the timber is in place, you can apply Polyfilla Exterior Brick and Render Masonry over it to fill the hole.
Once dry, paint it to match the surrounds with an exterior paint.
This would give you a solid aesthetic repair that would be relatively difficult to notice.
Let me know what you think and if you have further questions, please don't hesitate to ask.
JAcob
Hi Jacob
Thanks for getting back to me and the only access I have is through the hole i tried lifting it but no success. I knew it was going to be a little difficult to repair if possible.
Hello @Jay21
I propose using duct tape to reach for the broken piece and bring it out. Once you have the broken piece out, I suggest following JacobZ's suggestion on how to repair it.
Eric
Hi @Jay21
If the tape doesn't work @EricL suggested to pull the broken piece through I would use an old-fashioned metal coat hanger. I keep one in my tool kit to pull through plasterboard breaks from say a door knob.
Use bull-nosed plier/cutters to cut the hanging part off and open the wire out. Then make a 90deg bend about 15mm from one end. You might need to make a small break in the right side of the hole, so the wire can be pulled through with the broken flap of letterbox.Then follow @JacobZ instruction for the repair.
Nailbag
The great thing about this site @Jay21 is the multitude of different thoughts, alternative ideas, diagrams and various tools.
For me....
Definitely get that 'door' piece out. My thought was a large O-ring puller (many shapes and sizes available).
Should it fall inside and beyond finger reach, try one of those nifty wire grabbers.
Cheers.
Thanks for the help appreciate it i have no patched up the hole and sanded it back lightly. I just have one question whats the actual colour 🤔 😅. Hope someone can help
Unfortunately, it would be impossible to know what the colour is based on what we can see alone.
If you still had a piece of the damaged mailbox, then you could always take that in store with you for colour matching, but otherwise, your best bet is likely to head in store and grab a handful of colour cards that look relatively close, take them home, then compare them and select the closest match. You could always just grab something close and paint the hole letterbox if you wanted to be 100% certain everything matches.
Let me know if you have any further questions.
Jacob
When it comes to painting the letter box will can I just paint it the way it is or will I have to lightly sand it ?.
With render, you wouldn't sand it. When you are applying the render, get it close to how you want it, then take a damp sponge and wipe over it in a circular motion to get it nice and even and create the slightly textured finish.
Check out @Nailbag's article on How to repair a rendered wall, in particular step 3 which is more or less the process you'll be following.
With the rest of the mailbox, you'd want to give it a good clean, but there is no need for sanding. A pressure washer on a light setting would be good for this, but otherwise, a scrubbing brush with some sugar soap will do a great job.
