I'm trying to replace the mailboxes in our neighborhood after some of them were knocked over. I thought using an auger would make digging the holes easy, but at just 8 inches deep, I've hit something solid and can't go any further. I suspect it's the old concrete from when the mailboxes were originally installed. Any tips on how to get through this? Moving the mailboxes isn't an option, especially since one neighbor reinstalled theirs before anyone else had a chance.
2 Answers
Definitely grab a shovel and start clearing more dirt to see what's beneath the surface. Some hand digging with a garden tool might be necessary too. If you hit a solid block of concrete, a hammer drill can help you anchor attachments for the new mailboxes.
Try digging a bit farther away from the original site to expose more of the concrete. Once you've got a chunk visible, use a steel pry bar to get a better grip. I've helped a neighbor with this before and we found several old concrete footers. If you're dealing with more mailboxes, renting a mini excavator could be a smart move. Just remember to call 'Miss Utility' to get your buried lines marked before you dig, safety first!