Another loud vote for pavers. They don't crack, provide more visual interest, are less slippery, and are far more flexible than concrete if you need to redesign your hardscaping (e.g. add or remove a walkway, create an area for a planter, etc.). Plus, I think they're timeless....cobblestone and brick walkways have existed for literally hundreds of years.

First let's see if we can get your pics to show up: That's an awesome pergola!! When you pour the patio extension, make sure that it is doweled into the existing patio so the two will move together. As small as the extension is I wouldn't bother with an expansion joint, just do it as a cold joint. Personally I would not try to extend the Kooldeck because there won't be a clean transition across the line no matter what and it will probably cost you a lot to get someone out there just to do that tiny area. I would suggest going with a contrasting material, maybe some tile or stone. You could even pour a concrete extension on both sides as well and do a tile or stone border around all 3 sides.

Jennifer and Tresw, Thanks a lot for your advice. In fact, we swam today in the pool, yeaaaahhhH! Well, not really swimming, because the water was cold, about 60F and because I let the garden hose running in fresh water for an hour to lift up the level, but as a side effect it got even colder... But the clarity is now great. It is amazing comparing to a week ago, when was a swamp... What a miracle. I got the 4 way test kit, as suggested by TRESW and the readings were not that bad. Chlorine was really really low 0.4-0.6, but Ph was just right 7.6 and TA was 80 ppm (could have been 70 ppm, but with the background coloring I could not really say). The leaks are really big issue though. I broke the cement around the skimmer and now I can see the top plastic of the feeding tunnel (about 3-4 inches deep down), and it has about 0.5 inches water. What is even more worrisome is that the water is about 2" above the pool level, which means that the walls are all filled up with water all the way to the concrete deck and it is overflowing from any crack the water can get through. Also, the lines around the concrete deck are wet, as I dug about an inch deep around and now water started amassing around. And this is on the other side of the pool... I am having a serious leakage, that is for sure. I will rent these days a power hammer from Home depot and I intend to break to pieces the deck. The problem is I have not decided what to do with the debris yet. Any suggestions? As for the dead animal, I am no longer worried. I cleaned, and shocked, and cleaned, and shocked and now I believe there is nothing left from it... I hope. I certainly will avoid any contact of the water with my mouth for the next month or so, but overall I think I am over this now :) Thanks for all support and advice. If something else comes out, please shoot. I am ready to make some pics and post them online for discussion. Best, Lubo

Do the drywall forms used for the gunite stage need to be removed before decking or is it okay to backfill and leave them in place? I would think it should all be taken out but have heard that it gets buried?