The U.S. Postal Service is delivering a request: Spruce up your mailbox this spring.

This spring, the postal service is asking all homeowners to inspect and repair their mailboxes during Mailbox Improvement Week, May 19-25.

Repairing suburban and rural mailboxes improves the appearance of communities and makes delivering and receiving mail safe for our carriers and customers. The postal service makes this annual request because of the wear and tear that occurs to mailboxes every year.

Some of the typical activities homeowners may need to do include:

— Replacing loose hinges on a mailbox door.

— Repainting a mailbox that may have rusted or has started to peel.

— Remounting a loosened mailbox post.

— Replacing or adding house numbers.

— Replacing rusted hinges or remounting loose posts will help ensure safe and timely delivery of your mail. Or consider upgrading to one of the newer larger capacity boxes. Today’s newer boxes are wider and taller to accommodate delivery of items you’ve ordered online and reduce the need for notices left and trips to the Post Office to retrieve a package. For information on where to purchase these boxes visit www.usps.com/packagemailbox/.

Generally, customers should install mailboxes with the bottom of the mailbox at a vertical height between 3 ½ to 4 feet from the road surface. However, because of varying road and curb conditions and other factors, the Postal Service recommends that customers contact the postmaster before erecting or replacing mailboxes and supports. Mailboxes should be placed so the carrier can safely and conveniently serve them without leaving the vehicle. Customers must remove obstructions, including vehicles and trash cans, that impede efficient delivery.

If a homeowner plans to install a new mailbox or replace a worn one, this person must use only Postal Service-approved traditional, contemporary or locking full/limited service mailboxes.

Customers must be careful when purchasing curbside mail receptacles because the use of unapproved boxes is prohibited. Customers may use a custom-built mailbox, but they must consult with their local postmaster to ensure it conforms with guidelines applying to flag, size, strength, and quality of construction.