News Summary

Homeowners in Blue Springs are facing severe issues with new concrete driveways, leading to significant cracking and flaking. This has raised concerns about the durability of the recently introduced concrete mix. Many residents, including the Schlesselmans, are grappling with high repair costs and unsatisfactory responses from builders, who attribute the problems to environmental factors. With expert assessments suggesting installation errors and confusion over the new mix, homeowners are left seeking resolutions while navigating warranty challenges.

Blue Springs, Missouri

Homeowners in Blue Springs are facing serious issues with their concrete driveways, attributed to problems in a new concrete mix recently introduced to the Kansas City market. Many residents, including Edward and Denise Schlesselman, discovered severe cracking and flaking in their driveways merely months after installation, raising concerns about durability and installation practices.

Damaged Driveways and Rising Costs

The Schlesselmans, who purchased their new home in August 2025, noticed significant damage to their driveway after the first winter. Cracking and flaking appeared just months after pouring, leading them to believe the concrete should last longer than that. Denise Schlesselman mentioned that replacing their driveway would cost approximately $21,000. Their experience is shared by neighbors, including Kyle Burks, who also noticed similar issues shortly after winter.

Issues Affecting Multiple Residents

Other residents have reported similar problems, with Maryanne Mannino stating her driveway resembles one that has aged for decades, despite being less than a year old. The concrete issues have raised flags among homeowners, prompting many to seek explanations and solutions from builders.

Builder Responses and Warranties

The builder responsible for the homes has attributed the driveway problems to environmental factors, such as winter weather and the application of salt and chemicals. However, they indicated that the repair work would not be covered under the one-year warranty, much to the dismay of affected homeowners. The Schlesselmans filed a warranty claim but faced suggestions to share the cost of merely sealing the driveway as a temporary remedy.

Expert Assessment and Investigation

To further understand the problem, an independent expert assessed the driveways and pointed potential causes to installation issues, suggesting high moisture content at the time of pouring as a likely factor behind the flaking. Such assessments have stirred concern among homeowners who expect their new installations to withstand the test of time.

New Concrete Mix and Industry Confusion

A significant factor influencing these issues is the introduction of a new concrete mix known as Portland 1L, designed to be more environmentally friendly. This new mix utilizes limestone-based cement with up to 15% limestone content to minimize its carbon footprint. However, many builders and contractors were reportedly unaware of these changes. Recent findings indicate that 70% of builders had not been informed about the new mix and that 78% observed performance discrepancies with concrete over recent years.

Community Response and Future Training

In response to the issues surfacing from this mix, the Home Builders Association of Greater Kansas City (KCHBA) is recognizing the need for improved education amongst builders. Executive vice president Will Ruder emphasized the importance of training sessions to familiarize builders with working correctly with the new concrete mix to mitigate future complications.

Ongoing Measures and Recommendations

Michelle Wilson from the American Cement Association stated that notifications about the new mix were distributed. Although there have been numerous tests showing that Portland 1L performs well in terms of durability and resistance to freezing and thawing, concerns linger regarding the possible improper installation techniques which may be the underlying cause of reported damage. Homeowners with new driveways have been advised to consider sealing them, as the new mix is reportedly “less forgiving” than previous formulations.

With significant repair costs looming and no clear resolutions in sight, Blue Springs homeowners are left to grapple with the fallout from the new concrete mix while navigating warranties and potential fixes.

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HERE Resources

Additional Resources

• Fox 4 KC: Nationwide Problem Uncovered as Kansas City Homeowners Deal with Crumbling Driveways
• KSHB: Kansas City Snow Angels Shovel Driveways for Those with Low Mobility
• KMBC: Northeast Kansas City Neighbors Concerned as Sinkhole Continues to Grow
• Wikipedia: Concrete
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Concrete

Author: STAFF HERE KANSAS CITY WRITER

The KANSAS CITY STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREKansasCity.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Kansas City, Jackson County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as American Royal World Series of Barbecue, Dia De Los Muertos, and Planet Anime Kansas City. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce and United Way of Greater Kansas City, plus leading businesses in healthcare, finance, and entertainment that power the local economy such as Children's Mercy Hospital, Government Employees Health Association, and AMC Entertainment. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREStLouis.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Missouri's dynamic landscape.