While you can go paperless for most services these days, a large number of people still receive their bills, checks, and other communications through the US Postal Service. It’s important to have a secure mailbox to make sure any sensitive information is protected.
So, what should you do if your mailbox key or lock gets damaged and you can no longer access or secure your physical mailbox? The answer is to call on the professional service of a skilled locksmith!
Why Do You Need to Replace or Repair Your Mailbox Key?
The answer to this is fairly easy – almost all mailboxes have a simple lock and key mechanism to improve privacy and reduce the chance of stolen mail. Sometimes the locks might get damaged or the keys might get lost, meaning you lose access to your mailbox.
If you cannot get the lock to open, you will no longer be able to receive any correspondence from important entities like your bank, local government agencies, the IRS, and so on.
How Do You Legally Replace a Mailbox Lock?
The legality of mailbox lock repair/replacement is often an unnecessarily complicated issue. Depending on factors like where you live – apartment building, residential community, individual home – and the age of the property, the method of getting a mailbox repaired can vary drastically.
In the case of most modern mailboxes, the responsibility of maintenance and repair falls on the property owner, the apartment manager, or your local homeowners’ association (HOA). It is fully legal to repair these mailboxes on your own, whether by yourself or by hiring a professional locksmith.
However, some mailboxes installed before 2003 are actually the property of the USPS. These boxes can be identified by the eagle logo – if the mailbox is well maintained, you may also see the warning signs on them stating that they are USPS property.
If you have one of these mailboxes, you should contact your local post office about repairing or replacing the existing lock. Tampering with USPS-owned mailboxes is a felony and can get you in trouble with the law. If in doubt, check with a professional residential locksmith – they can help you identify these mailboxes.
Why Should You Call a Professional Locksmith for a Mailbox Lock Replacement?
If you check with anybody on whom to call for a damaged mailbox lock or key – the USPS, HOA, or building managers – the answer will be the same: call a professional locksmith. They have the experience and skill to resolve the issue.
When a mailbox lock is damaged, the only real option is to use a drill bit to remove it carefully. Then you have to install a brand new lock that fits your mailbox. If you live in an apartment or a community that has a cluster mailbox system, you have to use a specific type of lock.
Given the legal implications when a USPS mailbox is involved, attempting to do it yourself is not at all recommended for mailbox lock repair – always consult an expert before attempting anything.
Professional locksmiths will be able to remove the damaged lock quickly. They will know which type of new lock is appropriate for your mailbox. And they will get it all done with great service and little fuss. If you want the best deal, just call a few local locksmiths and get some quotes to see the average cost.
If you are searching for “the best locksmith near me”, 3 Guys Locksmith offers residential, commercial, and automotive locksmith services at an affordable cost.
Choose the Best Professional Locksmith Services
3 Guys Locksmith is a fully licensed and insured local business offering general and emergency locksmith services out of Homestead, FL. If you live in or around the following locations in South Florida, we can help you out with your mailbox lock and key issues: North Miami, Coral Gables, Aventura, Naples, Bonita Springs, Marco Island, Sunny Isles, Hialeah, and Doral.
Apart from mailbox lock repair, we also offer the following locksmith services, to name a few: opening a locked door or car door in case of missing or broken keys, programming a new key fob, offering roadside assistance for car lockouts, installing a new door lock, installing deadbolt locks/window locks, installing security access control with keyless entry, increasing garage door security, making new car keys.
Our highly qualified locksmiths have years of experience handling both residential and commercial customers with everything from key duplication to new lock installation. We offer 24/7 emergency locksmith services to help you with any situation related to a missing key or malfunctioning lock. Our reputation for professional and reliable service has been built over years of dedicated work and the highest level of customer support.
To get quick access to the best locksmith service, give us a call at 305-907-7707. If you want more detailed information about our services, you can also reach us online by completing this online contact form.