You must first be logged in to post a new topic.
If you are not registered, please click "Create Account".
| Posted By |
Message |
Sparrow
LIF Adult
Member since 11/10 6826 total posts
Name:
|
WWYD- Plow repeatedly destroys mailbox
I posted last year that the plow had destroyed my mailbox and that the town would only preplace it with a cheapie. Ours wasn't top of the line but it wasn't cheap either. We were very annoyed but replaced it ourselves.
Fast forward to this year. With our first light snowfall the plow bashed it off the post again. The mailbox is BLACK, how you can't see that against white snow (it wasn't covered, there wasn't even that much snow) is beyond me. DH rigged it back onto the post and sure enough, it was bashed back off again the next time the plow came. We put it back up, it gets smashed back down, over and over. We can't even put it back up now because they've broken off the arm that the mailbox attaches to.
Right before we moved into our house the owner actually replaced the mailbox because it was all broken up. We always wondered what had happened to it but now we know. There really isn't an excuse for the plow to hit it, we live on an exceptionally wide street. None of the other boxes on my block are smashed . I'm actually wondering if there is some renegade plow driver who had issues with the previous owner. It just doesn't make sense why our box is getting slammed over and over and over. 
We spend money on landscaping and keep our home very nice. We don't want an ugly mailbox. I understand that there are regulations stating how close to the street your box must be but we're considering moving it further back. This really isn't fair.
|
Posted 2/4/15 12:27 PM  |
| |
|
Long Island Weddings
Long Island's Largest Bridal Resource |
nrthshgrl
It goes fast. Pay attention.
Member since 7/05 57538 total posts
Name:
|
Re: WWYD- Plow repeatedly destroys mailbox
I'd either sue the Town in small claims court or put a claim into my insurance (depending on the effect it would have on my rates).
|
| Posted 2/4/15 12:40 PM |
| |
|
Pomegranate5
LIF Adult
Member since 2/11 4798 total posts
Name:
Pomegranate5
|
Re: WWYD- Plow repeatedly destroys mailbox
Are you sure someone is actually hitting the box? We have something similar happen and we realized the weight and force of the snow coming off the plow is what was knocking it over, over and over again.
But it is strange that no one elses mailboxes are being destroyed. Have you asked the post office how far back you can move the box? If you explain the situation maybe they will have a suggestion. They must have encountered this before.
|
| Posted 2/4/15 12:45 PM |
| |
|
BargainMama
LIF Adult
Member since 5/09 15660 total posts
Name:
|
WWYD- Plow repeatedly destroys mailbox
If you are in Town of Brookhaven, call 451 Town, they are replacing plowed down mailboxes or reimbursing.
|
| Posted 2/4/15 12:45 PM |
| |
|
Pomegranate5
LIF Adult
Member since 2/11 4798 total posts
Name:
Pomegranate5
|
Re: WWYD- Plow repeatedly destroys mailbox
Posted by BargainMama
If you are in Town of Brookhaven, call 451 Town, they are replacing plowed down mailboxes or reimbursing.
This is true, but when we inquired last year (we are in brookhaven) they will only replace with a standard, low cost mailbox.
|
| Posted 2/4/15 12:48 PM |
| |
|
Sparrow
LIF Adult
Member since 11/10 6826 total posts
Name:
|
Re: WWYD- Plow repeatedly destroys mailbox
Posted by Pomegranate5
Are you sure someone is actually hitting the box? We have something similar happen and we realized the weight and force of the snow coming off the plow is what was knocking it over, over and over again.
But it is strange that no one elses mailboxes are being destroyed. Have you asked the post office how far back you can move the box? If you explain the situation maybe they will have a suggestion. They must have encountered this before.
Yes, we know it's been hit more than once because there originally was no problem with the arm that stick out of the post (where the mailbox sat) and now it's dangling. The first time the box was knocked off this year the arm was still intact. Also, the box is found 5-6 feet or more from the post, so it's being thrown through the air, not just falling down next to it.
I have to call and inquire about how far back we can legally move it. I'm sure this will be costly to us though because whoever installed the original post put about 3 feet of cement around it in every direction (aside from street side, it's closer than that to the street), which is super annoying because our only option is to cover it in mulch. I'm wondering if this was done due to the post being hit in the past?
I really don't want to wind up in court, we don't have that type of time. I hate to let them "win" though.
Message edited 2/4/2015 12:59:41 PM.
|
| Posted 2/4/15 12:58 PM |
| |
|
adeline27
LIF Adult
Member since 5/06 3121 total posts
Name:
Angela
|
Re: WWYD- Plow repeatedly destroys mailbox
My parents had the same issue with their mailbox. They couldn't confirm if was weather related (heavy snow/wind) or plow but ended up calling a mason and made a mailbox out of cement and stone. It's actually really nice and a lot of people ask for this kind of work from masons. They never had another problem. It's an expense but resolved the issue.
|
| Posted 2/4/15 1:30 PM |
| |
|
Sparrow
LIF Adult
Member since 11/10 6826 total posts
Name:
|
Re: WWYD- Plow repeatedly destroys mailbox
Posted by adeline27
My parents had the same issue with their mailbox. They couldn't confirm if was weather related (heavy snow/wind) or plow but ended up calling a mason and made a mailbox out of cement and stone. It's actually really nice and a lot of people ask for this kind of work from masons. They never had another problem. It's an expense but resolved the issue.
We might have to look into this. There are a few of these in our neighborhood and I always admire them.
|
| Posted 2/4/15 8:19 PM |
| |
|
tray831
Dee-licious!
Member since 3/06 5355 total posts
Name:
His Baby
|
Re: WWYD- Plow repeatedly destroys mailbox
My neighborhood seems to have the same mailboxes get hit every year. But its not the plow itself doing it but the weight of the snow that gets pushed/thrown against it when the plow comes thru. Even the nicer ones arent made so strong. All it takes is one weak spot and its broke.
|
| Posted 2/4/15 9:00 PM |
| |
|
BabyBoy
is Skylar Elizabeth
Member since 5/05 4189 total posts
Name:
Tom
|
WWYD- Plow repeatedly destroys mailbox
Is the "snow" from the plow knocking it down or is the truck using the plow to knock it down? My mailbox took a beating this year and is hanging on by one screw currently. I know the plow didn't hit it as my block has snow a good 18" away from my curb.
You may need something stronger especially if bigger snow piles are being plowed and the snow is hitting the mailbox.
|
| Posted 2/4/15 10:26 PM |
| |
|
Sparrow
LIF Adult
Member since 11/10 6826 total posts
Name:
|
Re: WWYD- Plow repeatedly destroys mailbox
Posted by BabyBoy
Is the "snow" from the plow knocking it down or is the truck using the plow to knock it down? My mailbox took a beating this year and is hanging on by one screw currently. I know the plow didn't hit it as my block has snow a good 18" away from my curb.
You may need something stronger especially if bigger snow piles are being plowed and the snow is hitting the mailbox.
My house is far back from the road so I can't really see what's happening. I guess it could be the snow from the plow but I didn't think it would have THAT much force. People are telling me it's possible though. You would think they'd make mailboxes/mailbox posts to stand up to that if that's what happens!
|
| Posted 2/5/15 9:51 AM |
| |
|
GoldenRod
10 years on LIF!
Member since 11/06 26792 total posts
Name:
Shawn
|
Re: WWYD- Plow repeatedly destroys mailbox
Posted by Sparrow
Posted by BabyBoy
Is the "snow" from the plow knocking it down or is the truck using the plow to knock it down? My mailbox took a beating this year and is hanging on by one screw currently. I know the plow didn't hit it as my block has snow a good 18" away from my curb.
You may need something stronger especially if bigger snow piles are being plowed and the snow is hitting the mailbox.
My house is far back from the road so I can't really see what's happening. I guess it could be the snow from the plow but I didn't think it would have THAT much force. People are telling me it's possible though. You would think they'd make mailboxes/mailbox posts to stand up to that if that's what happens!
The snow being pushed to the side by the plow can have tons of force behind it, depending on the weight of the snow, the angle and shape of the plow blade, the speed of the truck, etc.
I have a small plow on my truck. Even going very slow, and making sure I didn't touch the post, I knocked over my mailbox post with just the snow. Luckily, I have a spring hinged post, so it just leaned over a bit, then bounced back. I know 100% that the plow didn't hit the mailbox, it was purely the snow.
|
| Posted 2/5/15 11:35 AM |
| |
|
Sparrow
LIF Adult
Member since 11/10 6826 total posts
Name:
|
Re: WWYD- Plow repeatedly destroys mailbox
Posted by GoldenRod
Posted by Sparrow
Posted by BabyBoy
Is the "snow" from the plow knocking it down or is the truck using the plow to knock it down? My mailbox took a beating this year and is hanging on by one screw currently. I know the plow didn't hit it as my block has snow a good 18" away from my curb.
You may need something stronger especially if bigger snow piles are being plowed and the snow is hitting the mailbox.
My house is far back from the road so I can't really see what's happening. I guess it could be the snow from the plow but I didn't think it would have THAT much force. People are telling me it's possible though. You would think they'd make mailboxes/mailbox posts to stand up to that if that's what happens!
The snow being pushed to the side by the plow can have tons of force behind it, depending on the weight of the snow, the angle and shape of the plow blade, the speed of the truck, etc.
I have a small plow on my truck. Even going very slow, and making sure I didn't touch the post, I knocked over my mailbox post with just the snow. Luckily, I have a spring hinged post, so it just leaned over a bit, then bounced back. I know 100% that the plow didn't hit the mailbox, it was purely the snow.
But this isn't knocked over, this is the box getting torn off the post and most recently the arm that the box sits on is broken off and dangling in the breeze. The snow is not pushed up against the pole. So would the snow being thrown through the air by the plow hit with such a force that it would cause that type of damage (honest question)?
I just don't want to spend more money only to have it be garbage again and told "Sure we'll replace it, but with bottom of the line components".
Also, if it is the snow coming off the plow that breaks it, does this mean that the town isn't responsible?
Message edited 2/5/2015 1:05:37 PM.
|
| Posted 2/5/15 1:04 PM |
| |
|
GoldenRod
10 years on LIF!
Member since 11/06 26792 total posts
Name:
Shawn
|
Re: WWYD- Plow repeatedly destroys mailbox
Posted by Sparrow
Posted by GoldenRod
Posted by Sparrow
Posted by BabyBoy
Is the "snow" from the plow knocking it down or is the truck using the plow to knock it down? My mailbox took a beating this year and is hanging on by one screw currently. I know the plow didn't hit it as my block has snow a good 18" away from my curb.
You may need something stronger especially if bigger snow piles are being plowed and the snow is hitting the mailbox.
My house is far back from the road so I can't really see what's happening. I guess it could be the snow from the plow but I didn't think it would have THAT much force. People are telling me it's possible though. You would think they'd make mailboxes/mailbox posts to stand up to that if that's what happens!
The snow being pushed to the side by the plow can have tons of force behind it, depending on the weight of the snow, the angle and shape of the plow blade, the speed of the truck, etc.
I have a small plow on my truck. Even going very slow, and making sure I didn't touch the post, I knocked over my mailbox post with just the snow. Luckily, I have a spring hinged post, so it just leaned over a bit, then bounced back. I know 100% that the plow didn't hit the mailbox, it was purely the snow.
But this isn't knocked over, this is the box getting torn off the post and most recently the arm that the box sits on is broken off and dangling in the breeze. The snow is not pushed up against the pole. So would the snow being thrown through the air by the plow hit with such a force that it would cause that type of damage (honest question)?
I just don't want to spend more money only to have it be garbage again and told "Sure we'll replace it, but with bottom of the line components".
Also, if it is the snow coming off the plow that breaks it, does this mean that the town isn't responsible?
That sounds very much like a blade hitting it....
Even if the snow knocked it over, I still think the town is responsible, I was just trying to say that it might not be a negligent driver hitting the box with a plow, but just getting close to it. (although it probably is).
|
| Posted 2/5/15 1:40 PM |
| |
|
sunnyflies
LIF Adult
Member since 9/09 1757 total posts
Name:
|
WWYD- Plow repeatedly destroys mailbox
Our's was demolished, too. Box dented and torn off, arm splintered and left dangling.
Driving around our village, I can see so many that were hit directly, like our's.
DH knocked the dents out of the box with with a rubber mallet today and is putting the post and arm back together today with wood and screws until we can replace everything properly witke our's.
It's expensive to replace a post and box - about $100 - plus the time needed. So annoying.
Message edited 2/5/2015 2:58:03 PM.
|
| Posted 2/5/15 2:54 PM |
| |
|
BabyBoy
is Skylar Elizabeth
Member since 5/05 4189 total posts
Name:
Tom
|
WWYD- Plow repeatedly destroys mailbox
My pole is study however the (4) 1/4 screws keeping to the post from the vibration of snow hitting it cause it to come apart. Last year not as much snow so not a problem.
The pole will shake and not go anywhere. As golden said, angles/snow/force can be alot. The weakest link will lost the fight first. Your post is either cemented in or in the a good frozen ground. If you post came out, i would argue someone destroying directly.
Again, i have snow 18" off the curb because my guy is lazy and just gets the street clean not even coming close to the curb.
I think its the snow...
|
| Posted 2/6/15 12:09 AM |
| |
|
busymomonli
Resident Insomniac
Member since 4/13 2052 total posts
Name:
|
WWYD- Plow repeatedly destroys mailbox
I saw on Facebook last night that Ed Romain released a statement saying that if you had mailbox damage to call 451-TOWN and they will take care of it.
|
| Posted 2/6/15 8:14 AM |
| |
|
