When installing the Mailbox Posts, there are several steps and methods to consider. First and foremost, check with your local utility companies before you start digging to identify the locations of any underground utilites. Once you have selected a safe location for your post, you can either dig the hole with a post hole digger or use a gas powered augger. The hole should be dug to the depth of 22". The hole should be 7" to 8" in diameter. Once the hole is complete, line the bottom with a two inch layer of 1" stone for drainage purposes. Place the Mailbox Post in the center of the hole and backfill all around the post with additional 1" stone up to about 6"s from the ground level. Fill and pack the final six inches with dirt. Another method is essentially the same except instead of using stone to surround the post, use pre-mixed concrete. You can pour the dry concrete mix into the hole and sprinkle water on top when done or you can add some water to the mix before you put it into the hole. The wet concrete should be the consistancy of oatmeal. Using either concrete methods will require you to tie and stake the post so that it stays in a centered and "plum" position until dry.

Another common consideration is having to run the low voltage landscape cable under a concrete sidewalk near the street. Again before you excavate, you must check with your local utility companies to mark utility locations prior to digging. According to the NEC or "National Electrical Code", it is OK to run electrical wires underneath a sidewalk or driveway. It is recommended that you check with your local building codes because local codes may not permit excavation under sidewalks or require a permit, but these are rare exceptions to the rule.

There are three effective methods to run low voltage wiring underneath a sidewalk. The first is to dig a trench perpendicular to the sidewalk about 4"s wide and 4"s below the bottom level of the sidewalk. The length of the trench should be at least two feet longer than the width of the sidewalk. Next lay a 1" capped steel pipe in the trench. With a 16 lb. sledge hammer, pound the pipe through and under the sidewalk to the hole that you have dug for your post. The next method is the same but instead of a steel pipe, you use a 2' schedule 40 PVC pipe that is cut at a 45 degree angle at the tip. Again pound the PVC pipe in about 3"s at a time. Each time that you go in another 3"s, pull the pipe back out and tap the pipe to knock out the dirt. Repeat the process until you have reached the post hole. The final method is to use "water excavation." It is very much the same as the first method with the steel pipe. You use the steel pipe technique but with a 1 1/2" diameter pipe that you can insert a garden hose with a spray nozzle. Insert the water hose spray nozzle first into the pipe. The nozzle should be about three inches from the end of the pipe. Turn the water on at high pressure and start pushing your way through underneath the sidewalk. In all three methods, it's recommended that you leave the steel or PVC pipe in the tunnel under the sidewalk. The steel cap or the garden hose will then be removed. Run the landscape wiring through the pipe and connect the wires to the pigtail wires on the mailbox post.

When running landscape wiring. you can run it on top of the ground but it is recommended that you use a spade to make a slit in the soil at about 45 degrees and 6"s deep. You can then place the landscape cable directly into this "trench" and seal up the slit by stepping on it along it's entire run with your feet.