Microsurfacing is applied in order to help preserve and protect the underlying pavement structure and provide a new driving surface. Roads chosen for microsurfacing application generally have low to moderate distress and narrow crack width.

Microsurfacing is typically applied on an intermittent, project-specific basis. Location, weather, traffic loading, and pavement conditions are factors used to determine if a microsurfacing application is appropriate. Roadways selected for microsurfacing treatment are commonly those which have slight to moderate distress, no rutting, and generally narrow crack widths, and in which a microsurfacing treatment would help extend the pavement life until resurfacing becomes necessary. Roadways chosen for cyclical microsurfacing applications would typically be treated every five to seven years.

Microsurfacing is commonly mixed in, and applied using, a purposely built truck, generally referred to as a “slurry truck.” If the roadway segments to be microsurfaced are long and don’t contain sharp curves, a “continuous machine” is sometimes used. This machine is capable of constant or continuous mixing and application of microsurfacing due to its large storage compartments and capability to attach to aggregate delivery trucks and tankers containing microsurfacing emulsion. This continuous operation provides the benefit of having few if any seams in the roadway which occur when operation stops.