Is Roundup Safe on Pavers?

Roundup is a weed killer that is made to kill any plant it comes in contact with. It's a non-selective herbicide that kills every plant it comes into contact with. Many homeowners and gardeners use Roundup to kill weeds in their lawns and gardens. So, is Roundup safe on pavers?

Is Roundup Safe on Pavers?

Yes, Roundup is safe on pavers. You can use it to kill any weeds growing in between the pavers. It is also safe to use around any plants that are near the pavers. Just be sure to follow the directions on the Roundup bottle and always wear protective clothing.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends using a surfactant with glyphosate herbicides to improve absorption of the active ingredient through the leaves and stems of the weed. Roundup comes with a surfactant that you can purchase from most home improvement stores.

Glyphosate herbicides are non-toxic and have low mammalian toxicity. In fact, the LD50, which is the dose required to kill 50% of a test population for glyphosate, is greater than 5,000 mg/kg. That means that it would take more than 5,000 mg of Roundup to kill a human.

Roundup Weed Killer Active Ingredients

Roundup has the following active ingredients that help it to kill weeds:

Glyphosate is a non-selective herbicide that kills most plants and blocks an enzyme necessary for plants to make certain proteins. Many plants die within hours of contact with glyphosate, and that is why it is used as the main ingredient in the Roundup.
Isopropylamine salt of glyphosate helps glyphosate to be more effective by increasing its absorption into the plants. It can also be used to increase the weed killer's volatility so that it can move more quickly into the plants.
Salt and tallow amine-surfactant help Roundup be more effective by helping it stick better to the leaves of plants and move more quickly into their systems.

How to Apply Roundup on Pavers

Your driveway needs to be free of any weeds before you start the application process. The following is a guideline on how to apply Roundup to your driveway properly:

Wear protective clothes: Though Roundup is not harmful to humans, it is still a good idea to wear protective clothing while applying it. This will help protect your skin from any possible contact with the weed killer.
Shake the weed killer well before using: Shaking the Roundup ensures that the ingredients are well mixed and will help achieve the desired results. It also helps to prevent any clogging that could occur in the nozzle.
Add the mixed Roundup into a sprayer: Ensure you follow the instructions of the Roundup bottle when adding the mixed solution into a pump sprayer. This will ensure that you get the right concentration of the weed killer.
Point the nozzle at the base of the weed: When spraying Roundup, it is important to aim the nozzle at the base of the weed. This will help to ensure that it is absorbed by the plant and will not just run off the leaves.
Avoid getting the Roundup on pavers: One of the main reasons people use Roundup is to avoid removing the pavers and treating the area underneath them. If you get Roundup on the pavers, it can be difficult to remove and could cause damage to the surface of the pavers.
Reapply as necessary: Depending on the size of the weed, you may need to reapply Roundup more than once to achieve the desired results. A good rule of thumb is to wait at least a week before reapplying Roundup to the same weed.
Wait until the area dries: It is good to wait for a day or two after applying Roundup to the weeds before driving on the driveway. This will help to ensure that it has had a chance to soak into the plants and kill them.

Safety Practices for Roundup

Glyphosate is skin-friendly and does not easily penetrate the skin. However, it is still important to take precautions when handling the Roundup. The following are some safety practices that you should follow when using Roundup:

Follow the instructions on the Roundup Weed Killer label: The instructions are there for a reason and should be followed to ensure the safety of those handling the weed killer.
Wear protective clothing: Though Roundup is not harmful to humans, it is still a good idea to wear protective clothing. This will help to avoid any possible contact with the weed killer.
Avoid spraying in windy conditions: The weed killer is most effective when it is sprayed on the weeds directly. If the wind is blowing, the weed killer could end up on plants that you don't want to kill or on areas of your driveway that you don't want to treat.
Keep away from children and pets: As with any chemicals, it is important to keep Roundup out of the reach of children and pets. This will help avoid any accidents and ensure that the weed killer is used as intended.
After application, avoid going into sprayed fields for at least 12 hours: Most chemicals need time to dry and be effective. It is important to avoid contact with the weed killer until it has had time to work and is safe.
Clean up any spills immediately: If there is a spill, it is important to clean it up immediately. This will help avoid any accidents and ensure that the area is safe to be around.

Conclusion

Weeds on your beautiful driveway can be an ugly eyesore. The best thing is to use Roundup to kill them without harming your pavers. You can also seek guidance from Aviara Pavers, who follow ICPI standards and certifications for driveway, patio, and other paving projects.

Is Roundup Safe on Pavers?