Letter box problem

[Terry Pinnell]

Even a single day's post delivery is often enough to make getting into our
front door a stressful challenge. The material easily gets jammed,
presumably because there is such a small gap below the door and the mat.

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/4019461/20130514-DoorProblem.jpg

Assuming that this isn't a rare problem, what are the preferred methods of
others for solving it please?

--
Terry, East Grinstead, UK

[Gazz]

"Terry Pinnell" <terry...@DELETEgmail.com> wrote in message
news:h7r3p85frleqlk7pj...@4ax.com...

Get your self one of those little yappy dogs, it'll shred the post for you
whilst you are out, allowing it to be slid accross the mat when you open the
door when you get home :)

actually, the dog subject may hold the solution... one of those wire cages
you put over the inside of the letter box to stop dogs eating the post,
stops it getting on the floor in the first place.

[Nightjar]

A letter cage

http://www.discountlocks.co.uk/Letter-Cages-s/300.htm#axzz2TFn2P0fF

The only problems with them are whether there is enough space behind the
door to allow it to open with a cage fitted, which does not seem to be a
problem in your case, and that some very large letters can be difficult
to get in, so the postman may leave them sticking out of the letterbox.

Colin Bignell

[Dave Liquorice]

On Tue, 14 May 2013 09:01:39 +0100, Terry Pinnell wrote:

> Assuming that this isn't a rare problem, what are the preferred methods
> of others for solving it please?

Drop mat into a mat well, with brass edging.

Fit a letter cage around letter box:

http://www.google.co.uk/images?q=letter+cage

Though that looks quite a wide letter slot, check width of cage before
purchase. If you get packets that normally fit through the slot a cage
might stop the larger ones being posted fully through.

--
Cheers
Dave.

[Nick Odell]

On Tue, 14 May 2013 09:01:39 +0100, Terry Pinnell

Not a direct answer, but I have often wondered why public buildings
always have exit doors that open outwards for fire escape reasons etc,
yet domestic premises have doors that open inwards. I reckon that, not
only wouldn't the build-up of post be a problem but burglars would
have a harder time forcing the door too.

Nick

[dochol...@gmail.com]

On Tuesday, May 14, 2013 10:22:12 AM UTC+1, Nick Odell wrote:

>
> Not a direct answer, but I have often wondered why public buildings
> always have exit doors that open outwards for fire escape reasons etc,
> yet domestic premises have doors that open inwards. I reckon that, not
> only wouldn't the build-up of post be a problem but burglars would
> have a harder time forcing the door too.

Harder to force, maybe, but it leaves the hinge pins exposed, which could provide a different vulnerability if they're not designed for the purpose. My door from the garage into the garden is outward opening, and the hinges have additional bolts which hold the door closed even if the hinge pin is removed.

[Andy Champ]

On 14/05/2013 09:01, Terry Pinnell wrote:

> Assuming that this isn't a rare problem, what are the preferred methods of
> others for solving it please?

Take that inner flap with the brush off. The postman will then be able
to put letters through without crumpling them up, and they'll spread out
more across the floor.

I speak as one who delivers neighbourhood association fliers - single
sheets of A4. Those brush things are a menace. If the letter box is
draughty put a better spring on it, the postman can hold that open while
he puts the letters in.

Andy

[charles]

In article <ksKdnTMqloOtlg_M...@eclipse.net.uk>,

I find strong springs a serious nuisance when trying to put a sheet of A4
through.

--
From KT24

Using a RISC OS computer running v5.18

[Brian Gaff]

You have a letter box at the bottom of the door??
Brian

--
From the Sofa of Brian Gaff Reply address is active

"Terry Pinnell" <terry...@DELETEgmail.com> wrote in message
news:h7r3p85frleqlk7pj...@4ax.com...

[Nick Odell]

Roll the flyer up so that it resembles a baton and push through the
brush. If there is one side of the flyer that you want to attract
attention, roll it on the inside so that it faces upwards as the flyer
unrolls itself on the mat.

Nick

[Terry Pinnell]

Thanks Colin. I was thinking about those, although they don't look very
attractive IMO. From some rough measurements the door would not open quite
fully, but that would only possibly become an issue when occasionally
moving large furniture/appliances in or out, so temporary removal would
solve that.

Another snag is that it would mean screwing into the door. BTW, those at
Discount Locks don't come with the plastic screws they say are needed for
UPVC doors. I was hoping a cage could be fitted to the existing letterbox,
perhaps using its existing two screws under the lid.

One idea I'm considering is making up a sort of 'slide' made of cloth or
plastic sheeting and a couple of thin pieces of wood or stiff wire.

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/4019461/LetterBox-Slide.jpg

Lightweight and collapsible, stored behind a slim cupboard we have
opposite the door, I'm thinking it might be possible to improvise a simple
means of attaching it quickly when required.

[Terry Pinnell]

Thanks Dave. But I don't follow your first suggestion. As shown in the
photo, the mat is already in a shallow well.

[Graham.]

On Tue, 14 May 2013 11:16:07 +0100, "Brian Gaff"
<Bri...@blueyonder.co.uk> wrote:

>You have a letter box at the bottom of the door??
>Brian

I know you can't see the picture, It shows it in the usual place, a
little less than half way up.

--
Graham.

%Profound_observation%

[dennis@home]

On 14/05/2013 13:15, Graham. wrote:
> On Tue, 14 May 2013 11:16:07 +0100, "Brian Gaff"
> <Bri...@blueyonder.co.uk> wrote:
>
>> You have a letter box at the bottom of the door??
>> Brian
>
> I know you can't see the picture, It shows it in the usual place, a
> little less than half way up.
>

It would help Brian if you told him the gap under the door when it opens
is small and the mail on the floor jams the door not the letter flap.

[Dave Liquorice]

On Tue, 14 May 2013 12:53:07 +0100, Terry Pinnell wrote:

>> Drop mat into a mat well, with brass edging.
>

> Thanks Dave. But I don't follow your first suggestion. As shown in the
> photo, the mat is already in a shallow well.

Didn't look like that to me, no edging strip of any sort. Make the well
deeper?

I was also thinking of a slide type idea or just a U channel to catch the
mail. Another possibilty is a cloth bag attached around the letter
opening (clamped under the flap) with a velcro fastened slit get at the
mail inside or maybe just a few inches overlap would do.

--
Cheers
Dave.

[Chris J Dixon]

One option would be to fit a separate external letterbox. Only
you can judge the relative inconvenience/ security implications.

Chris
--
Chris J Dixon Nottingham UK
ch...@cdixon.me.uk

Plant amazing Acers.

[F Murtz]

Why not a box on a post at the fence line?

[Nick Odell]

On Tue, 14 May 2013 02:29:47 -0700 (PDT), dochol...@gmail.com
wrote:

A good point, which I hadn't thought of before. I like the solution
too.

Nick

[SteveW]

Doors that open outwards can be a problem in domestic properties. My
parents have a porch where the outer door opens outwards. The milkman
regularly left bottles on the step outside it. Catch 22. They no longer
have milk delivered.

SteveW

[SteveW]

On 14/05/2013 15:06, Chris J Dixon wrote:
> Terry Pinnell wrote:
>
>> Even a single day's post delivery is often enough to make getting into our
>> front door a stressful challenge. The material easily gets jammed,
>> presumably because there is such a small gap below the door and the mat.
>>
>> https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/4019461/20130514-DoorProblem.jpg
>>
>> Assuming that this isn't a rare problem, what are the preferred methods of
>> others for solving it please?
>
> One option would be to fit a separate external letterbox. Only
> you can judge the relative inconvenience/ security implications.

Or fit a vertical letterbox through the wall nearby.

SteveW

[Nick Odell]

On Tue, 14 May 2013 09:01:39 +0100, Terry Pinnell
<terry...@DELETEgmail.com> wrote:

When I've been away from home for a month or more, I've stopped the
build-up of mail by resting a board at about 60deg under the
letterbox. Letters just slide down it further into the hallway.
Doormat in the right place stops the board sliding down and
effectively jamming the door. 60deg is good enough so that opening the
door pushes the board into the vertical position. It's a bit fiddly
setting the board up with one hand round the door as you close it but
for a month long trip it's worth it and if you were to do it every day
I dare say you'd get quicker at it.

Nick

[Terry Pinnell]

I've been using a sliding tray:

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/4019461/LetterBox-PreviousMethod.jpg

But last week I finally got around to clearing out my garage and the tray
accidentally ended up in the local recycling tip. Hence this post!

On a more general point, why isn't this a problem for the majority of
homes? What clearance do most doors have over the interior mat?

[Muddymike]

"SteveW" wrote in message news:kn0t41$jaq$1...@dont-email.me...

>
>On 14/05/2013 10:22, Nick Odell wrote:
>> On Tue, 14 May 2013 09:01:39 +0100, Terry Pinnell
>> <terry...@DELETEgmail.com> wrote:
>>
>>> Even a single day's post delivery is often enough to make getting into
>>> our
>>> front door a stressful challenge. The material easily gets jammed,
>>> presumably because there is such a small gap below the door and the mat.
>>>
>>> https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/4019461/20130514-DoorProblem.jpg
>>>
>>> Assuming that this isn't a rare problem, what are the preferred methods
>>> of
>>> others for solving it please?
>>

Just back from a few days away and picked up on this. Anyone suggested the
basket fixed to the back of the door around the letter slot?

Mike

[Tim+]

My front door has very little clearance but it's a square edged wooden
door. I suspect the rounded profile of your door may be more inclined to
allow mail to get wedged rather than "sweep" it away as the door's opened.
You might consider fitting a square edged strip to the bottom of your door
to see if this sweeps the mail more effectively without jamming.

We constructed a porch subsequently with a double door which definitely
cures the problem but is maybe more than you're prepared to do. ;-)

Tim

[Nightjar]

I just put a large plastic container behind the door when I am going
away. My postman seems to be trying to see how far down the hallway he
can get post when he puts it through my letterbox, so it does not need
to be tight behind the door. All the post ends up in the container and
it pushes away easily when I open the door.

Colin Bignell

[Terry Pinnell]

I don't see how that could possibly work reliably here. Presumably you
have to place it a couple of feet away from the door, depending on the
size and girth of the largest departee. All it would need in my case for
the door to get jammed would be a few *inches* of space into which
deliveries could accumulate.

But that gives me an idea, thanks. I used to be into practical electronics
as a hobby. Maybe I'll dust off my shed workbench and try designing some
sort of remote control gadget to push a laundry basket-on-wheels snugly
alongside the door.

Then again, there's always Royal Mail KeepSafe...

[Nightjar]

> size and girth of the largest departee.All it would need in my case for

> the door to get jammed would be a few *inches* of space into which
> deliveries could accumulate.

As with Nick's board, you set it with an arm around the door, so the gap
is only a few inches. It was something I did mainly to avoid having to
search further down the hallway for letters my postman sends flying
through the letterbox. I once found something weeks after it was
delivered, under furniture I would have thought well out of reach of the
letterbox.

> But that gives me an idea, thanks. I used to be into practical electronics
> as a hobby. Maybe I'll dust off my shed workbench and try designing some
> sort of remote control gadget to push a laundry basket-on-wheels snugly
> alongside the door.

You could link it to opening the door and have it auto-retract as well.

Colin Bignell

[F Murtz]

I live in australia and have fun trying to figure out UK posts.
Here we have very few slots in doors (extremly rare I would say maybe a
few in cities)
All detached houses have a box on a post at the front gate.
All units have a bank of boxes at the entrance for the building
semis would have the box at their front gate.
Postman ride along the street on their motor bike or bicycle and rarely
get off them in the suburbs.
Gone are the days when the milkman ,posties, bread men come up to your
house for anything

[Dave Liquorice]

On Fri, 17 May 2013 00:35:32 +0100, Nightjar wrote:

> I just put a large plastic container behind the door when I am going
> away.

Ah, the KISS solution at last!

As for how do you position it when leaving?
Doesn't the house have another door to exit by?
Attach it to the door, bit of string or light bungey around it to a
couple of eyes or SA cable tie pads?

--
Cheers
Dave.

[Andy Champ]

On 17/05/2013 10:49, Dave Liquorice wrote:
> As for how do you position it when leaving?
> Doesn't the house have another door to exit by?
> Attach it to the door, bit of string or light bungey around it to a
> couple of eyes or SA cable tie pads?

Either reach around the door, as has already been suggested. Or put a
bit of string under the door to pull it.

Andy

[jgharston]

Nick Odell wrote:
> Not a direct answer, but I have often wondered why public buildings
> always have exit doors that open outwards for fire escape reasons etc,
> yet domestic premises have doors that open inwards.

Because doors open *in* to the place you're going *in* to. Fire *exit*
doors are *exit* doors.

JGH

[jgharston]

Andy Champ wrote:
> Take that inner flap with the brush off. The postman will then be able
> to put letters through without crumpling them up, and they'll spread out
> more across the floor.
>
> I speak as one who delivers neighbourhood association fliers - single
> sheets of A4. Those brush things are a menace. If the letter box is
> draughty put a better spring on it, the postman can hold that open while
> he puts the letters in.

+1 several-fold.

Why do letter-box installers assumes that deliverers have three hands
- one to open the letter box, one to push through the delivered item
and one to hold the rest of the stuff you're carrying. A sensibly-
designed letter box can be opened with half a finger of the same hand
pushing the letter through.

JGH

[jgharston]

SteveW wrote:
> Or fit a vertical letterbox through the wall nearby.

Vertical letterboxes are the spawn of the devil. With a horizontal
letterbox the flap only has to move about 15 degrees before the whole
slot is accessible. With a vertical letterbox the flap has to move the
whole 90 degrees before you can get anything through, with the
exponetially larger amount of force and precision needed to do that.
Even worse are the brain-dead morons who mount a horizontal letterbox
vertically, ambushing your fingers as you push against the immovable
hinge side when it suddenly leaps away from you at the other side.

JGH

[SteveW]

All the vertical letterboxes that I've ever encountered (right back to
paper round days) have opened sideways, so that's the way I'd be
expecting them to move. Why on earth would anyone put in a vertical
letterbox hinged at the top, with the problems that gives to get
anything through?

SteveW

[mully]

There used to be a design with the outer letterbox cover also serving as a
knocker. Quite heavy and awkward. That was hinged at the top
John

--
jtm from his iPad

[F]

On 18/05/2013 21:11 SteveW wrote:

> All the vertical letterboxes that I've ever encountered (right back to
> paper round days) have opened sideways

I remember a couple that were top-hinged from my paper round days. A
long time ago but definitely top-hinged and a pain to get the newspapers
through.

--
F

[Bob Martin]

Mine is top-hinged (from 1936).