When I bought my house in 2006, one of the many things I did not like about it was the mailbox. To me, it looked like they started to put it up, and then stopped and did this. I really don't have a good description for it, other than "BAD." So I have been determined to do a better job then the builder for three years now. Since I have a little time on my hands, the time is now.
I did not want to do any demolishion work, which means that I needed to preserve the work that is ready done. I needed to find a brick that matches what is already there. Fotunately enough, I found some old brick in my backyard. Armed with this example, I headed off to the Acme Brick. After talking to Amy at Acme for about an hour, and walking the yard with her, I found a brick that was pretty close to what was already in place.
I had bought a new mailbox last year in preparation for this, and I already had a couple of b
ags of mortar in the garage. I was ready to start. Actually, it's too late in the day, I'll start tomorrow.
The first few rows of bricks go on easy. I just have to split one brick per row, nothing fancy. The mailman stops by while I'm in the process, so I get his opinion on height. I have to cut the metal pole because it is in my way. Five minutes with my jigsaw makes a good break from laying bricks.
The new mailbox is HUGE! I set the mailbox on top of the bricks where the front is fully exposed, and the back is perched on the back row. This means that I'll have to split the bricks in the back length-wise, tricky but I should have enough bricks to make a few mistakes. I take pains to cement in the bottom of the new mailbox very well, front and back. The rows of bricks around the mailbox take a bit longer than expected due to all of the work splitting bricks just right (I end up with lots of broken bricks). I end the day with the job unfinished.
I have a problem - I discover that I cannot break the bricks where I want them to break for one particular place on the front. I need something to cut the bricks with. I have not bought a new tool for the job, so this is the perfect excuse for me to go do that. I have always wanted a circular hand grinder anyways. I buy a couple of masonary cut-off wheels to do the job. It works to perfection. I cut the bricks for the front, and it looks like I know what I am doing. I like the new tool.
I wanted to make the top of the mailbox look like a castle turret, but by the time I get to this point, I just want to finish the job. I brainstorm amonst myself and find a decent design that shouldn't collect water, and should go together pretty fast. I mess it up the first time, and have to pull off the top bricks and try again. The second try at topping it is going great. I accidently knock my little plumber's level into the gaping hole and it drops to the bottom. I cannot see the darn thing, and I am almost done, so I leave it in there. Just another reason to go back to Home Depot. With the top finished, I stand back and look at my new creation with a critical eye. I see some crooked lines, and the irregular spacing between some bricks. But it works for me. I'll let it set for a few days, and then go back with a wire brush and clean off some of the extra mortar. Job complete.
