General Landscaping & Supply FAQs
AREA / VOLUME / GENERAL CALCULATIONS
- Volume is calculated as Length x Depth x Width.
- There are 1000 litres in a cubic metre.
- 1 cubic metre of product covers, 10 square metres at a depth of 100mm.
- A roll of turf covers 1 square metre. (0.5m wide x 2m long).
- 40 x 25 or 33 x 30 litre bags of product make 1 cubic metre.
- 1 m3 Compost Soil weighs approximately 1.2 tonne.
- 1 m3 of mulch weighs approximately 300kg.
CONCRETING / BRICKLAYING
- To mix 1m of concrete you need – 1.2 T blue metal, 0.6 sand, 15x 20kg bags cement.
- Mortar mix – 6 Brickies sand: 0.5 Lime : 1 Cement
- Concrete mix – 4 Blue metal : 2 River sand : 1 Cement
- 1.25t of sand + 7 x 20 kg bags of cement lays 1000 bricks.
- A standard brick is 230 x 110 x 76mm, 39.5 bricks make up 1 square metre.
HOME DELIVERY INFORMATION
Value for money is achieved by reducing the number of deliveries you need. Sometimes we are able to carry 2 different bulk products on our trucks, depending on the quantities. Sleepers can usually be also delivered on top of product, but the 3.0 lengths can sometimes be an issue with the 14.5 T Trucks. Truck access is a consideration. The information below is a guide to what we can deliver.
Note:
Our trucks will not go off main access unless the access is firm and clear. After rain the trucks will stay on the main access roads. Our drivers will assess the access – no guarantees can be made by office staff until the driver has arrived on site and assessed the conditions. They will not scratch past trees even if you don’t mind a few branches broken. The drivers are responsible for our trucks and will not go anywhere unless access is clear of branches, power lines and the ground is firm. The trucks carry up to 14 Tonne and though you might be able to drive a car up, our trucks are much heavier and can sink. If the truck does get bogged on your site, it is the responsibly of the customer to arrange towing and pay the cost. WSC takes no responsibility past the kerb. If you require the trucks to go past kerb site, it is at the customers own risk and the customers insurance if damage is done.
DELIVERY ACCESS:
- 4.5t Truck – Needs minimum clearance of 2.7m width and 3.0m height.
- 14.5t Truck – Needs minimum clearance of 3.0m width and 4.0m height.
TRUCK CAPACITY
4.5T Truck
- 3m3 of Soil or gravels and aggregates
- 15m3 of Mulch
14.5T Truck
- 25m3 Mulch max. per load
- 10m3 gravels, soils, sands and aggregates max. per load
Split loads:
- All trucks have one divider in them for split loads. Load quantities will vary depending on products.
Semi Trailer with Forklift unload for Pavers, Retaining Wall Blocks, Concrete Sleepers and Bulka Bag deliveries. Also for large sleepers orders where we can’t tip off due to space limitations.
IS YOUR GARDEN OR SOIL DRY?
- Adding organic matter to soils helps water penetrate deeper into the soil. Or adding a wetting agent makes the soil hold more water. It breaks the surface tension of the soil and helps the water soak into the soil. This can be done in conjunction with adding organic matter. Be sure to water in well and keep watering for one week to re wet up the soil and keep your garden growing.
- Add one third organics to your garden bed and water in with a wetting agent.
- Water well and deep into the soil, rather than frequent shallow watering.
- During drought conditions soils can become water repellent and water will not soak into the soil but run off depriving plants of water. It is important to ensure all soils are covered in mulch to provide excellent water holding capacity and stop evaporation from the soil.
- In the drought we are experiencing at the moment, the soils are quite dry even from or yard, so adding a wetting agent to soil will help to retain moisture when watering.
HOW DO I KEEP PESTS AWAY FROM MY GARDEN?
- No one likes spraying for pests, and if your plants are strong and healthy they’ll survive a few pests. Adding a rich compost to the soil, fertilising occasionally, and mulching regularly is the key.
- The best defence is generally attracting both birds and other insects. Lots of flowers for nectar and shrubs for birds to hide in will make a huge difference.
- If you really have to spray, look for the natural products rather than man made chemicals. Try soapy water first because many bugs don’t like it.
MULCHING
- Mulch at a minimum of 75mm deep to stop weeds and retain moisture.
- As soil microbes break down, always fertilise your garden before mulching.
TURFING
- A roll of turf covers 1 square metre. (0.5m wide x 2m long).
- Level areas with Turf Underlay (River Loam) before you turf.
PAVERS
ARE YOU LAYING PAVERS?
- 100mm of compacted road base (scalps) should be laid below pavers if required to support vehicles.
- 50mm of compacted road base should be laid below pavers for foot traffic.
- 30mm of washed sand on top of scalps to bed pavers into.
EMPTY PALLETS
WE pick up empty pallets on completion of your job. Give us a call with your address and we will pick them up. Leave them in view from the road so the driver can see them.
VARIATION IN COLOURS
When laying pavers, due to the result of natural raw materials used in concrete masonry, some variation between pallets/products is to be expected.
Variation in colour and texture of masonry products may vary from brochures, displays or samples due to raw material characteristics.
Order all your pavers for your area at the same time. This will ensure that the pavers will come from the same batch. It is also advisable to work from all pallets you get, as you are laying them. This blends the colours in better. Don’t use up one pallet and then move onto the next pallet.
If you are not using the pavers straight away, unwrap the plastic from the pallets to prevent them sweating. This will reduce the effervescence occurring when concrete sweats.
SAFETY
For the safety of our customers, we don’t allow you to fill up buckets or bags that you bring in. Our products are available in 50L bags for Mulches, and 30L bags for Sand/Soil/Pebbles.
** Please Note: No landscape products (eg mulches) are suitable for livestock consumption.
LANDSCAPERS
We have a great relationship with some landscapers in the Canberra Queanbeyan areas, so come in and talk to us about your next project and we can recommend a landscaper best suited for the job you have in mind.
GUIDELINE FOR MANUAL LOADING OF LIGHT VEHICLES, TRAILERS
Manually loading light vehicles can generate the risk of injury. WSC is committed to maintain your safety while on our site. To avoid injury, WSC expects you to minimise the risk by following this guideline. The guileline provides clothing requirements and procedures.
Clothing Requirements:
- Enclosed Footware
- Gloves (recommended – available for purchase from the office)
Procedures in our yard:
- Wait in your vehicle (or away from trucks, traffic and forklift) until forklift driver has dropped your goods and informed you it is clear to start loading.
- Follow the Proper Lifting Techniques
- Load and secure using the Load Restraint guide.
- Keep in mind – Do not attempt to lift by bending forward. Bend your hips and knees to squat down to your load, keep it close to your body, and straighten your legs to lift.
- Never lift a heavy object above shoulder level.
- Avoid turning or twisting your body while lifting or holding a heavy object.
- Cover and tie down your load. Tarps and ropes available from the office if you have forgotten to bring yours.
Loader Rule
The 10, 20, 30 Rule establishes rules for Light Vehicles to manage the interaction between light vehicle and heavy earthmoving equipment.
Keep these distances when driving around the yard. Make sure loader operator sees you and acknowledges you prior to moving around the yard.
SYNTHETIC TURF FAQ’S
Does Synlawn synthetic grass get hot?
Synlawn has a range of grasses that utilise “cool” yarn. The “Cool Plus” grasses are approximately 25-30% cooler than other products. Our most popular Synthetic Turf is the Classic 35mm great for full sun area as is has the exclusive HeatBlock technology.
HeatBlock Technology lowers rising temperatures by reflecting sunlight, thus reducing heat build-up and emissivity.
Heat build-up occurs in ost materails when thermal energy from the sun’s rays hit the surface of an object. In the same way dark clothing absorbs more heat than light clothing, artificial grass can also hold in heat making it uncomfortable when it’s hot outside.
Therefore, SYNLawn with HeatBlock Technology incorporates infrared reflective pigments that help dissipate heat build-up and becomes up to 20% cooler than similar artificial grass products.
Is SYNLawn child and pet friendly?
Absolutely. SYNLawn is manufactured to Australian manufacturing standards and is 100% child and pet friendly. SYNLAwn has been installed in many child care centres and schools as well as commerical pet facilities such as the North Melbourne Lost Dogs home.
What maintenance is required?
Very little. Simply use a plastic rake (lightly) occasionally to stimulate the fibres. Remove any large debri such as sticks and weeds. A little maintenance occasionally will keep your lawn looking like new.
Will the grass fade? What is the warranty and life expectancy of the grass?
No. All SYNLawn grass lines are UV stabilised and manufactured to the highest standards. SYNLawn Classic 35 come with a 12 year Australian manufacture’s warranty. The life expectancy of SYNLawn synthetic lawns is 20 years.
Where is SYNLawn synthetic grass made?
All the synthetic grass lines are made in Melbourne. This enables Synlawn to have the unique ability to maintain a hands-on approach in the quality control of the products.
Visit www.synlawn.com.au for more information on this great synthetic.