MICRO SURFACING
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What purpose does micro surfacing serve?
A. Micro surfacing provides a thin asphalt overlay/sealer that will fill in slight imperfections and give your street a uniform color and texture. Most importantly, it seals the pavement, thus preventing the infiltration of water, which is the most frequent cause of pavement failure. There is a residue (sandy grit) that remains loose on the finished surface, but it dissipates in a short time.
Q. How long will the material last on my streets?
A. The life expectancy of micro surfacing is five to seven years.
Q. What is the micro surfacing material?
A. The micro surfacing material is made of emulsified asphalt, water, and mineral fillers. It is applied in a 3\8 inch mat over the complete road surface.
Q. Can Montgomery County resurface my driveway?
A. No. The contractor is not allowed to resurface any private driveways. Also, the micro surfacing equipment is extremely heavy and could damage most driveways.
Q. When will my neighborhood be resurfaced?
A. Your neighborhood streets will be resurfaced on the dates listed on the "NO PARKING" signs posted along the side of the streets.
Q. Where can I park my vehicle when resurfacing begins?
A. You can park your vehicle in your driveway or yard. You can also park in the County green space between the road and sidewalk, as long as you don't block the sidewalk.
Q. May I leave my house when I need to when resurfacing is done on my side of the street?
A. Yes, you may leave your home at any time as long as you are very careful not to turn sharply or quickly on the freshly applied material. Doing so will damage the material and may soil your car.
Q. Will driving over the freshly laid micro surface damage my vehicle or the road surface?
A. Damage will occur if you drive over the new surface within the first fifteen minutes. We would prefer you to wait forty-five minutes to an hour to do this. In emergency situations, feel free to leave whenever you need.
Q. If my side of the street is finished, may I park on the opposite side of the street?
A. No. If you park your car on the unfinished side of the street, you force other cars to drive on the new surface, which will damage it. The other side of the street needs to be resurfaced as well, so it must be clear of vehicles at all times.
Q. When may I park my vehicle back on the street?
A. When all of the "NO PARKING" signs are removed from along the roadside you are free to park on the street.
Q. What do I do if I have the micro surfacing material on my car or on my driveway?
A. Please keep in mind, chances of this occuring can be lessened by allowing the mat to cure for the appropriate time, typically 3-4 hours. We have found that "GOJO" hand cleaner, which you can find at your local hardware or automotive store, is an excellent cleaner for this purpose.
For any MCDOT service request or complaint, call 311
When dialing outside of the county, call 240-777-0311 or submit via their website.
For website comments or to report website problems or broken links, please email us.
This email address does not handle service requests or complaints.
Highway Services · Montgomery County Department of Transportation
Questions/Comments · Inside Montgomery County dial 311 · TTY: 240-773-3556
Outside Montgomery County dial 240-777-0311
