no thanks-- I want a change. You see the patio is currently ALL concrete. It gets so hot it is not usable in the summer. I love the idea of having something usable. I figure if we are out there enjoying it, the maintenance will come. If it is just too difficult to maintain, then I'm willing to hire someone to help me out. Plus, I've got kids and isn't that what I had them for-- a little hard work pulling weeds is good for developing character (that's what my dad told me, and I've always been told I've got lots of character!) Anyway, I need a change from what I've got and patching up the concrete isn't enough of a change.

Which way is it slanted? Does water all drain away from the house? Do any rain gutter downspouts discharge water on to the patio? (all downspouts must be directed into a drainage system or diverted several feet away from the foundation) Water may be intruding your foundation, and that is a 100 times worse problem than a cracked patio slab. You need a good contractor to evaluate the entire situation. If everything checks out, it may be OK to leave the slab in place and build a larger wood deck over it. It must have proper footings built on undisturbed soil, or totally compacted dirt.

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

I mentioned mortar not concrete. While not a huge discrepancy, mortar would be much harder to work with and not as durable. (How much concrete is not set on a flexible base? Nearly 100%?) Let's note that a crack here or there, if it ever happens, is not "failure." The retainer will continue to do its job. For the record it should be noted that the recessed concrete retainer was THE retainer of choice and the ONLY retainer available for many decades. The claim that it is "guaranteed to fail" is utterly false. There are many examples of this type edging presently in long term use all over the world. It is no longer the retainer of choice only because it is heavy and more time consuming to install. Plastic is lightweight, quick as easy. One of the reasons I created the thread was to illustrate and explain HOW it must be installed in order NOT to fail. (Do I need to say here that I am describing something primarily for residential use?) How could knowledge about a recessed concrete retainer be useful? -- If one has more time than money. It is about 1/3 to 1/4 the cost of plastic. (This doesn't apply when spending other people's money!) -- If one decides on a whim to do a small weekend paving area and can't get or doesn't want to wait for plastic, since bagged concrete mix is available everywhere. (A small landing at the base of the deck steps would be an example.) -- For retaining a mowing strip (which is essentially what is in the second picture.) For a commercial job a concrete retainer wouldn't be practical because it would be more expensive (time is money) ... like how drywall is preferred over plaster. Plastering is still done, but only on high-dollar projects.