FAQs

Q: Can I buy firewood here online? A: Absolutely. Browse our full range today. Q: What species is your firewood? A: Our firewood is Pilliga - known as the 'Rolls Royce' of firewood, because it is slow burning with high heat output, minimal ash and little smoke. Pilliga is a region of New South Wales, where trees grow slowly (growth rings are close together), making the firewood denser and slow burning - the hardest of hardwoods. Q: How big are your pieces of firewood? A: They vary, but on average our standard firewood size is around the size of a loaf of bread. We use a dedicated firewood tumbler - a piece of equipment that cleans the wood and sorts it into more accurate sizes, discarding dust, debris and smaller pieces - ensuring you pay for wood, not debris. Q: How big is your "stove size" firewood? A: "Stove size" firewood is a smaller product, with pieces around the size of half a French stick. These smaller pieces save you splitting the wood and are ideal for small fireplaces and stoves. All firewood is delivered to you cleaned, sorted and sized in our tumbler. Q: How dry is your firewood? A: Our firewood is aged to have a moisture content of less than 25%, which is defined as properly seasoned and is the level recommended by the Firewood Association of Australia (FAA) for optimum burning. We test all our firewood to make sure it is properly aged. Q: Why should I buy from a Firewood Association of Australia member? A: Firewood Association of Australia (FAA) members are committed to using sustainable firewood that meets both environmental and usage criteria. BC Sands is proud to be founding member of the FAA, meet all the requirements of their approval program and to follow their code of practice, which includes ensuring our firewood supply is environmentally sustainable,seasoned and ready to burn, and complies with trade measurement regulations. Find out more at the FAA website.. Q: How is your firewood packaged? A: We have a number of options depending on how much firewood you would like: Bulk Bags: The most economical way to buy our firewood is in 500 kilo bulk bags, delivered by crane truck, which place the bag in a convenient spot for you. You can store the wood right there in the bag, so no need to restack and store at your hose. 20kg Bags: We also sell handy 20kg bags, which most people can carry on their own. Firewood Combo Packs: We also offer different package options that include everything you need to get your fire started this winter. Q: How much firewood do I need for winter? A: This varies between individuals, but as a guide, our customers who use a fireplace, tile fire or slow combustion stove every weekend, plus intermittently during the week, usually go through four bulk bags of firewood each winter. Q: How much kindling should I order? A: This depends on how often you light your fire, but as a general rule of thumb, we would recommend two bags of kindling for each bulk bag of firewood. Q: Why do you sell firewood by weight, and not by the cubic metre? A: Weight is the fairest way to sell firewood. Selling by the cubic metre can be unreliable, because you also pay for the air in between the pieces of wood. The way the firewood is stacked, for example, in a loose pile, or stacked in tight rows will make a difference to the amount that you get. With weight, 500kg is 500kg and any gaps between pieces will make no difference. We weigh our bags on a trade-approved certified scale so you can be sure that you are getting full value for money. The FAA commented in an article: "Because all dry firewood contains approximately the same amount of energy (19-21 MJ/Kg), buying by weight is a good way of ensuring that you get the same amount of heat from every load, regardless of species or wood density. Buying by weight is the safest method as you know what you are getting..." Q: How can I compare prices on firewood when suppliers use different units of measure? A: The only way to be sure you are getting what you are paying for is to compare weights. Many firewood merchants sell by load, crate, truck or wheelbarrow, which are not consistent and trade-approved units of measure. We always ensure that you get what you pay for by selling by weight, with every bulk bag weighed to check it contains 500 kilos - not approximate or roughly, but guaranteed. Dust, sawdust and the smallest pieces of wood are filtered out in the loading process so you know you are paying for wood, not waste. Q: What are bulk bags? A: These are large poly woven bags measuring 900mm wide x 900mm deep x 1200mm high, containing 500 kilos of firewood and with a flap on the top to protect the firewood from the elements. These bags are specially ventilated to allow air to continue to dry out your already seasoned firewood and be ready for burning. As well as simplifying delivery, bulk bags provide a convenient, no-mess way for you to store your firewood. Pro tip:When the bags are empty they can be used for composting garden waste or storing things. You can also fill them (like a skip bin) with rubbish or junk and call us to have it taken away. Find out more about our skip bin collection service. Q: What is a SmartBurn? A: This is a pollution reduction device that maximises the heat you get from your fuel and reduces smoke haze and particulate emissions. It will also clean your chimney and flue, removing soot and flammable sap deposits, reducing the risk of fire. It's easy to use - simply lay it at the bottom of your fireplace. SmartBurn has won many awards and benefits both the environment and you. Q: Do you ever sell recycled firewood, like old railway sleepers? A: No, we never sell recycled firewood, because we are concerned about the dangers this might pose. Some railway sleepers and other pre-used wood products have been treated with arsenic or creosote and other dangerous chemicals. Railway sleepers may also have absorbed oil, paint or other products that might cause fumes or unexpected sparks from your fire. BC Sands firewood is a safe, slow-burning wood from a sustainable source.

Mulches Q: How do I know how much mulch I need? A: The easiest way to work out the quantity you need is to enter the dimensions of your area into our calculator. Q: Is any specific type of mulch better at stopping weeds? A: No mulch can completely stop weed growth, however wood chips will make it harder for them to grow. If you use a depth of 75-100mm of mulch then you should only have to pull out the biggest and most persistent weeds. Q: How long will my mulch last? A: It depends on the type of mulch that you use. Leaf mulch breaks down within a year or so, but wood chips can last a few years. Most people refresh their garden with a fresh layer of mulch in spring. However, under the new layer, your old mulch is still working for you. As it breaks down and decomposes it will enrich your soil. Q: Does mulch help my soil to retain moisture? A: Yes, mulch will help keep your soil dark and cool. The thicker the layer, the more effective it will be. Water the soil thoroughly before you lay down your mulch. If you water your garden after laying your mulch, remember to water very thoroughly so that the water can make its way through the mulch into the soil. You are still saving water, though, because the mulch will make the most of every drop you put into your garden, so you shouldn't need to water so often. Q: What is 'Soft Landing'? A: Soft Landing is a fine, soft pine mulch, designed for use in playgrounds and under trampolines. Our Soft Landing is Australian Standard certified as suitable for these purposes, when installed to standards, but you can also use it as general garden mulch. Q: If I put mulch next to my house, will it attract termites?  A: We don't recommend that you put mulch right up against your house, or any wooden structure. In fact, pest controllers recommend that you keep all garden beds away from your house. If you are worried about termites, we recommend Cypress Mulch. Whilst we love the smell, termites will avoid the area. Q: Is the dye in red wood chip natural? A: Our Red Wood Chip is dyed with environmentally-friendly dye. The colour is long-lasting, but will gradually fade with exposure to sun and other elements. Q: My garden is mostly natives; should I use a special type of mulch? A: Avoid phosphorus-rich mulches, such as manures, but other than that you can use most types of mulch with a native garden. The choice is purely the look you prefer. Leaf Mulch gives a natural look, while Pine Bark, Cypress Mulch and Eucy Mulch will create a more formal or traditional look.   Pebbles Q: How do I know how many pebbles I need? A: The easiest way to work out the quantity you need is to enter the dimensions of your area into our calculator. Q: Can weeds grow through pebbles? A: Weeds can grow through almost anything. However, to make life hard for them, give any existing weeds a quick spray with weedkiller, avoiding any existing plants, then lay down a layer of fine mulch, followed by a thick layer of pebbles. Q: What's the best type of stone or gravel to use for a driveway or path? A: This is largely personal preference, but smaller stones are best for this purpose. Avoid round smooth stones, which won't compact into a solid base. Crushed products like Crushed Tile or Decomposed Granite, which keep a firm base once compacted, are ideal. We also sell Road Base which is the perfect product to use under a decorative gravel driveway. Use a depth of at least 100mm road base and a layer of at least 50mm of your decorative gravel. Q: Can I just put gravel on top of my old concrete driveway? A: Unfortunately not. If you do this, you will find that the gravel tends to move around, exposing the concrete underneath. It can also be quite dangerous for people to walk on. Q: Do you sell polished pebbles? A: Yes, we have a wide range of polished pebbles in colours ranging from black to white, and lots of colours in between.   Soils Q: What's the difference between Organic Garden Mix and Native Organic Garden Mix? A: As the names suggest, Native Organic Garden Mix has been created specifically to suit Australian native plants which are adapted to our phosphorus-low soils. Using a normal garden mix which includes phosphorus is not beneficial to these plants. Our Organic Garden Mix can be used for all other types of plants and for your home grown vege patch, we also offer a specialised soil. Q: How do I use Premium Lawn Builder? A: Our Premium Lawn Builder is a very versatile product. To top dress your lawn, simply scatter over and distribute with a lawn leveller or soil spreader to a depth of around 15mm, and then water thoroughly (or apply just before rain is due and let the rain do it for you). It can also be used as a lawn underlay when you are laying a new lawn (use a depth of 75-100mm), or as an additive for garden beds. Q: Why do I need to purchase soil, rather than use what's already in my backyard? A: Unfortunately it's highly likely to find that your existing garden soil is not always the best quality. Beautiful plants and lawn need a good growing medium to be at their best. Enriching your garden with new soil and/or fertilizers is one way of making sure your garden grows well. For an existing garden, digging in VitaGrow can help make the most of your plants. We also have special Planter Box Mixes for enclosed planter boxes and raised garden beds, and a potting mix for pots. Turf Q: Do you sell turf other than Sir Walter? A: Yes, we have a wide range of turf for all kinds of different purposes. Sir Walter is one of the most popular domestic turfs on the market but please feel free to browse our full turf range.

Q: Is your pricing trade pricing?

A: Yes, all our pricing is trade pricing as the majority of our customers are companies and tradesmen.

Q: If I order today, when will I get my products?

A: Most of the time we can deliver on the same day you order, or within 24 hours, depending on product availability and distance.

Q: Does your pricing change for larger quantities?

A: Yes, the majority of our products are quantity priced so the more you buy, the cheaper it will be. If you're building a commercial or multi dwelling development, please give us a call on 8543 3400 to speak to our Project Consultants.

Q: What increments do you sell in?

A: The majority of our products are sold in cubic metres or tonnes. All our bulk and bulk bag products are sold in increments of a quarter, e.g. 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1 tonne or cubic metre.

Q: How long does it usually take for a special order item to arrive?

A: The lead time for most of the products we special order is three to five days. If you're looking for lead times on a specific product, view the product on our website and the lead time is shown under Item specifications.

Q: What's the difference between yellow brickies sand and white brickies sand?

A: Other than the difference in the colour of the mortar, the difference is in the sands' level of 'fat', or clay content. White brickies sand is a 'fattier' sand, which means it contains more clay, making the sand more workable when mixed with cement. Yellow brickies is also a fatty sand, but contains less clay and gives a less clean finish. White brickies sand is more expensive than yellow brickies sand.

Q: What is the difference between Organic Garden Mix and compost?

A: Organic Garden Mix is a blend of composted green waste, sand and other ingredients and can be used in general garden beds. It's blended to Australian Standard 4419 and is good for most plants, other than natives. We offer a specific blend for native plants and another for vegetables. Compost is a soil improver produced from composted green waste and blending it with existing soil improves the structure of the soil and adds nutrients to help your plants thrive.

Q: With pebbles, how do I convert cubic metres into tonnes?

A: This depends on the size of the pebbles, but as a rough guide one cubic metre of pebbles equals one tonne of standard pebbles (10-40mm).

Q: How much ground will a 20kg bag of pebbles cover?

A: This will depend on the product and the depth required, but as an example, we recommend using four 20kg bags of standard pebbles (10-40mm) to cover one square metre at a depth of 50mm.

Q: How many cubic metres are needed to cover a square metre?

A: This depends on the product and the depth you need. See our list below for some general calculations, or work it out more precisely using our calculators, or call us for more advice!

• 1 cubic metre of product covers 10 square metres to a depth of 100mm
• 20 x 60 litre bags of product make 1.2 cubic metres
• 1m3 mulches/soils/Turf Gro covers 25m2 @ 40mm OR 50m2 @ 20mm
• 1 ton sand/aggregate/pebbles covers approx. 12m2 @ 50mm

Q: How big is a BC Sands Skip Bag? A: Our bags measure 900 by 900 by 1200 high and can carry up to one tonne in weight. Q: How do I know what one tonne actually is?  A: As a rule of thumb, imagine the bag three quarters full of sand or soil. If you are filling the bag with something particularly heavy, such as bricks, concrete or metal items, then you might want to leave a bigger gap at the top to be sure that you are below the weight limit. Most domestic waste should be fine. Q: What can I put in my bag? A: Most construction, garden and domestic waste is fine, including building, DIY and renovation waste, lawn clippings, garden waste, sand and soil, rocks, household goods and furniture, cardboard, empty paint cans, household appliances, doors removed, carpet and mattresses. >br?Note: all items must fit completely in bag. Q: What can't I put in my bag? A: Glass or anything with sharp edges that might tear the bag, any liquid waste, including paint cans with paint in them, oil or things which have contained oil, batteries, tyres, propane or gas tanks, fluorescent tubes, anything containing asbestos, poisons, chemicals or toxic waste, and food waste. Q: Can I fill the bag in my back garden? A: Only if your garden has easy, open access to a driveway or street. However, they are small enough to use a standard driveway. Pricing and payment   Q: What are the pick up costs? A: The pick up price for BC Sands Skip Bin Bags is the online price, plus cartage (varies depending on distance). To get a quote for your suburb, visit our Rubbish Removal page, put a skip bin bag pick up in your shopping cart, then click on 'estimate delivery' and enter your suburb. You do not have to enter any personal details to do this, nor will it commit you to any purchase. Q: How do I pay for pick up? A: When you are ready for your bag to be picked up, please call us on (02) 8543 3402 or request it online. Please have your credit card ready to make payment. Q: Can I pay for my pick up when you collect the bag? A: We only take payment by credit card in advance. Pick up Q: How long will I have to wait for pick up? A: We aim to be there within 24-48 hours. You do not have to be there for us to pick up the bag/s. Q: How do you pick up the bag? A: We use a crane truck with a three metre reach. Please make sure we can pick up your bag by placing it within a three clear metre reach of the road or driveway. Recycling and reuse Q: Do you recycle the rubbish? A: Yes, we recycle as much as we can and our bags themselves are 100% recyclable. Q: How often do you reuse the bags? A: A bag is only used once for rubbish and then it is recycled. If you have purchased a bag with BC Sands product that bears our rubbish bag tag, then you can use it for our rubbish service, after which it will be recycled. Product always leaves our yard in new bags. Location Q: I live in Canberra, can I use this service? A: At the moment we only cover Sydney Metro areas. Still need more info? Please call our friendly team on:(02) 8543 3402