Fixing letterbox that flaps in the wind

awec

Like most new houses these days, our letterbox is on the wall outside our house, as opposed to being in the door.

Unfortunately, when it's windy the flap blows about in the wind. This is incredibly noisy at night, but it also means that water gets into the letterbox, which then doesn't dry out properly, and so post gets wet when put in by the postman.

The flap lifts outwards, not inward, so you pull on it to open it.

The flap has no tension in it, there's no spring or anything to hold it down. The flap spans the entire width of the postbox, then directly below the flap is they keyhole, which opens the lower-half of the letterbox so you can retrieve post.

The flap can't be removed from the letterbox (I was initially considering sticking some rubber washers on the hinge at each side to make it really tight).

I was thinking maybe to attach (glue?) some weights along the flap on the inside to make it heavier. Or another alternative using magnets of some sort, but then there would be problems getting it to close flush as there's not much of an overlap from the flap to the front of the letterbox?

Anyone have any suggestions?

colm_mcm

Magnets are your best bet I’d say.

Can you post a pic of the letterbox?

awec

Three pics attached. THird one shows how tiny the lip is that overhangs on the flap (ie where youd put a magnet).

Klopp

You could replace the current flap with a Stormguard Sleeved from Screwfix or similar?

milehip

Tec-7 a Velcro strip onto it maybe?

RichT

Something like this, rotated 180 degrees with added weight stuck on top.

The added weight on top can also act has a handle so The Postie can lift it to get the letters in.

Davy

https://sugru.com/buy/magnet-kit

colm_mcm

I’d put an expansion spring on each side

whizbang

A strip of soft foam (ie. self adhesive door seal) just touching the lower edge of the flap, will stop it lifting in the wind.

Soft foam will allow fingers under the flap.

CJhaughey

Bend the edge of the flap so it doesn't flap as freely, if your fingers are strong it might work or a small adjustable spanner, go slow and move it a little at a time.

iamtony

Letterboxes are cheap just get a new one. Mine doesn't make any noise.
If not they the noise is probably coming from metal to metal contact. For the spot it touches and stick a bit if tape or foam on it.

twignme

Put a small piece of metal grill at the bottom of the box so the post sits on that and not in any water that gets in.