Granite post with carved numbers

^good idea.

Or you could have the numbers mounted to a large stone or wall.

Where we lived in California, we couldn't put anything permanent (as in concrete) within 10' of our street. We were in a rural area without sidewalks. Our mailbox is across the street and cannot be moved to our side of the street.

I'm still trying to find out if I can put a concreted post in the 10' easement. So far, I haven't even figured out who to ask.

The numbers on the house is not readable from the road, even though the numbers are 6" tall.

1976 Modular Home - slowly updating · More Info

I like the big boulder idea the best we have huge winds often where I live my boulder has never moved and I like the looks too BTW 6” high #s are not big.

"I'm still trying to find out if I can put a concreted post in the 10' easement."

Why couldn't it go in your yard just inside the property line?

By the driveway.

This is a rural area, no curbs, no sidewalks, school bus routes and state roads are paved, others - maybe gravel.

Our grass grows to the edge of the road and utilities are in the 10' easement. It's not our property, but we're required to maintain it.

County requires numbers at least 4" tall and either lit or reflective. I had 6" reflective numbers nailed to wood. We couldn't dig into the rocky ground the summer we moved in, so I put them in a large metal tub weighted down with rocks and dirt.

Now I am really confused. What does living in the boonies have to do with getting hold of a large rock, and painting numbers on it?

Ha, ha, you're right, mad_gallica. It's just a matter of finding someone who has a boulder, getting it hauled and getting our number on it, on a Social Security budget.

The last time I saw a good sized solid rock was in our back yard in Raymond, CA. That house was built on solid rock - Sierra White granite, to be specific.

Now we are in the eastern panhandle of West Virginia where several varietes of shale form the base under our feet.

Assuming I could find a large rock seller:

How large of a rock would I need? 2'x3'?

Could I paint the numbers on a rock using some type of fluourescent paint?

I believe the rock my dad painted our house numbers on was about 18" each way. It may have been a bit bigger, but not much.

Around here, I've seen people use large, paving type stones propped up against another stone. Is the shale solid enough for something like that?

Yes, you could definitely paint the numbers with a fluorescent paint.

I forgot to mention (or, preferred to forget), we've had about 2' of snow each of the last 6 years. Anything lower than that and I'd have to shovel it out when we snow-blow the driveway. Mybe that's why I haven't seen any painted boulders around here.

Hubby's solution, put the old sign back in the bucket and turn it 90 deg so the wind won't knock it down.

How about large (and I mean large) numbers over the garage. They could be painted on.

If it is an easement then you DO own the property. It just grants the legal right for someone else - usually the utility companies - to access and use the property. Generally, you are not restricted as what you can do with an easement except for anything that might obstruct access. As long as you can locate the address sign where it will not interfere with any access or any underground lines, you can certainly dig a proper concrete filled foundation for your post.

Here, mailboxes are routinely located in the easements.........

Hubby suggested painting the numbers on the siding. I'll check into what type of paint will stick to vinyl siding.

He likes the idea of a boulder but also admits he doesn't know where to get one.

Seek advice from the fire house that serves your area. Whether full-time or volunteer, THEY have a vested interest in locating your home quickly when called (fire or medical). They can also suggest someone to build & install.

IMO no matter how big the numbers would be on the house you would not see them from the road .IMO bury a concrete form fill it with concrete and a post then buty some nice nubers and screw them on if finding a boulder is too much work.. If and when you get a hassle about the post it can be dug out but I don’t think anyone will care if it is done on your property not the easement.You could even add a cute mailbox for a look if not really needed

Thnks, chiflipper, I hadn't thought about asking them.

Patricia Colwell Consulting, you and a couple others have suggest a post in concrete. Hubby reacts strongly to the idea of digging the hole. When we had a backyard fence installed for our dog, the installers broke 2 augers and a powered post hole digger to get through our broken shale and clay dirt.

Since you have so many local code requirements, I’m wondering what other homeowners are doing. Maybe get inspired by that?

If their house is on the side of the street with the mailboxes they rely on that for their number. Most either don't have a number or it is not visible while driving by. Many times I've had to come to a full stop to search for a number or have had to guess based on the ones I can find.

Recently someone died in our area because the EMTs couldn't find the right house. I don't want one of us to die too soon because we didn't properly mark our location. Maps (not just google) consistently lead people miles away in our Appalachian foothill region, so old-fashioned physical numbers are needed.

Once I solve the how to get the numbers to stay upright issue, I'll put in a solar light with a day/night sensor so it can be seen after sundown.

Once again, an easement IS the OP's property and they are well within their rights to erect a sign post/mailbox within that easement, provided it does not interfere with access or equipment. A boulder - unless massive - will be covered in in snow in winter and any post set in anything other than concrete will be subject to wind displacing it. Even malicious kids could easily knock that over (they like to knock down mailboxes here).

If you can't (or don't want to) dig, you might consider getting a galvanized metal tub and filling that with concrete and erecting your sign post in that. Although not done easily, that could even be moved should the need arise.

The classic method is a metal post in a 5 gallon bucket filled with concrete. If you wanted to combine it with a planter, you could use a 55 gallon barrel and put concrete in the bottom with planting space above.

Thank you all for your input. I think I can convince Hubby to help put a post in concrete in a bucket, I even have one I bought recently at Tractor Supply.

+1 on contacting your local fire dept. I know when I lived in rural Ohio they were doing a huge push to get reflective house #s out to people because it was nearly impossible to find a lot of the houses.

I don’t think you will need an auger to dig the hole it is not that big a shovel and maybe a pick .

Definitely a pick or equivalent. That's how my daughter and I have dug holes for shrubs and trees. One of us shovels, the other is on her knees using a pointed trowel or a longhandled screw driver to pop out the broken shale.

Good idea when living rural...select the "flashing mode" and place on the porch when aid is needed.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/PowerSmith-10-Watt-900-lm-Rechargeable-Foldable-Green-Integrated-LED-Work-Light-PWLR1110F/300522027

I use metal signs, they never fall

A neighbor put in a metal sign on the skinny metal spikes. It withstood the high winds 2 weeks ago, but it's hidden under a snow plow pile now.

This spring during the phase of mud season when the ground is not frozen, I plan to put in the labor to dig a hole for a 4x4 post to put numbers on. I'll take my chances with a complaint from the county or a neighbor.

I'll also explore painting numbers on vinyl siding near the porch light.

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