Renting nightmare! Help!?

Approximately march 14 or 15,2011 my boyfriend and I moved into a house for rent. About April 8-10, we noticed water pooling under steps and notified landlord and landlords brother(who was in charge of maintenance) who came to home 3 days later and blammed leaking on furnace, however questioned due to odor. About a week later bought washer and dryer. Installed washer, ran a few cycles without any problem until noticed washer stopped when spin cycle hit. Basement was continueing to pool under steps and notified maintenance problem still existed and reported issue with washer. Maintenance man advised me that water wasnt fernance but is was dishwater/ sink water. I specifically asked is flooding could break washer and more important was water sewage water and he strongly said no no, just kitchen sink, promised he would snake that drain. Purchased yet another washer, low and behold after ONE cycle same issue. dirty water pooled in washer and would not spin or drain. Called maintenance, voiced concern and need for action. Landlord voiced plumber would be there that Sat, didnt show until Monday. Basement smelling awful, Monday came home to smelly roots on basement floor and all dirty water drains connected to sump pump. MSD in front yard that Wednesday 5/21/2011, advised sewage hasn't met sewer in about two years due to roots, basement WAS flooding with sewage water and more than likely was sewage water in washer. Not to mention have a serious urinary tract infection. Now two washers later, lied to by maintenance, Over a month of dealing with feces water, no sign of replacement of washer, remeimburstment for ruined clothing mattress Christmas decorations etc. I do not have renters insurance however I would like to know what to do and where to go from here? Do I asked for rent off from time issue evolved without timely action? Another washer? Should I contact a lawyer?