Thank you so much for this info! Yes we got a bid to raise it with foam and then patch, but im concerned it will still smell or crack again.

So do you think it will work to rip it all out and instead of recreating that whole concrete area adjacent to the spa just put the three steps and put split face travertine around that part of the spa that currently has the concrete?

Also, it was proposed by one company to use Lueders chop to create steps. Would that work? Thank you so much!

Where is your septic tank or sewage drain line -- is there any chance that could be contributing to the smell?

How close to the pool is your home's foundation? Is there any chance that whatever is causing the problem is also affecting your home's foundation? If so, deal with that issue first before worrying about a pool that, push come to shove, you could do without for a while ... unlike your home.

Only once you're convinced neither your foundation or sewer system needs work, then address the pool issue.

The pro ( Mystic Pools, LLC ) says the damaged part needs to be removed, so you need to believe that it does. Stagnant water can begin to reek on its own and may be standing beneatht he surface with the smell coming up between the cracks.

If at all possible, do hire a local pro. Try to get multiple price quote. The pool is clearly a feature of your home you want to keep if you can and it is an investment in the value of your home to be sure it is in good shape -- otherwise, yo might just as well remove it.

If, however, this is to be all or part DIY, start at the steps, and remove the the left broken part first, then remove one chunk of concrete at a time all around the broken part of the pool, removing any poles or fencing as you go, being as careful as possible to NOT damage the concrete curb adjacent to the water. It may be that if you can locate the "leak" and standing water you could actually patch the curb. Whether you'd have the option to create a different kind of poolside feature by "securing" the curb and then adding a treated wood deck is something you'll likely need a pro to answer once the damaged concrete deck is removed.

I've never removed a pool deck or curb. I did once help remove a sidewalk and concrete block steps. We had to use a heavy metal hammer to create additional cracks and breaks in and between the concrete blocks and a shovel to move dirt from around the steps to enable the concrete chunks from steps to be moved. We also used a really sturdy long handled pry bar (such as is used to remove heavy treated posts beneath a railroad track) to move the concrete away from where it was to where it could be loaded up and hauled off. At the very least, it's likely you'll need some kind of pry bar such as a "crow bar" to help with that.

https://www.google.com/search?q=crow+bar&client=firefox-b-1-d&tbm=isch&source=iu&ictx=1&fir=8vLEeFnCfuYQrM%253A%252CVGqlu__MwDTPKM%252C%252Fm%252F068dd8&vet=1&usg=AI4_-kTCu-n9ZDPMkortHe_EQdg6QlyeLg&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwi8iLyWhrrpAhUllXIEHXO0B44Q_B0wKnoECAsQAw#imgrc=8vLEeFnCfuYQrM:

you probably have stagnant, sitting water that has seeped into the cracks. mix that with mold, dead things, and you get 'smell'.

I realize it's a lot of money, but there is really no way to patch that. look at the spa.

maybe you could take out a home equity line of credit and pay it off little by little? rates are really good right now. No points or fees.

Bottom line is, You need to fix the entire thing. The longer you wait, the worse it's going to get and you may possibly run into other issues that will cost more.

Agree with Beth H. : You might not have JUST standing water that reeks -- you could have a dead animal in the water as well, in which case, the damage may be in part due to a digging animal creating a place for the concrete to collapse -- a problem you don't want to have repeat itself.

If you can ... very carefully ... do the demo work, the repair and rebuild price wouldn't need to include that. Do expect to need to dig out to the right below the concrete pool deck to get the concrete out of the way.

Thanks everyone. We have a sewer system and I don't think there is any issue. We have already had piers placed around the foundation years ago...I don't think that is affecting the pool. I guess the cracked area really has got to go!I

I know there is water between the walls of the spa - we had a tiny little spout at one point through the exterior of the spa going into the pool so i just put acrylic caulk around the top of the tile line of the spa to buy some time - which it did help. I will pay to have someone demo - I'm too afraid I'd damage the pool itself.

I don't know how it will look without totally rebuilding the concrete part we presently have, and don't want to have to do that. I have several estimates and only one said to demo...He proposed just leuder steps and then stacked stone around rest of spa. Not sure how that will look... the fact the pool builders built the pool shell into where the steps are (where the coping steps up near the cracked steps) is limiting.

The smell has come and gone for a long time - like close to two years as embarrassing as that is. It comes and goes - seems worse when its really hot. So I would think if it were a dead critter that would totally decomposed by now. But I'm afraid to see what we will find!

I don't think it's a critter after 2 years. sounds like stagnant water. Maybe it's mixing w/something in the ground, or maybe it's gases from the sewer line. who knows. but it obviously needs to be fixed. Get some other estimates for a redo and see where you're at.