Moving into a new place and the previous tenants say the basement leaks during heavy rain. Which produces a god awful stench. So any home improvement folks if this is a DIY job or do I need to pay major dollars for a professional?

 

Have a professional do it. There are some topical applications out there that you can do but they are temporary at best. There are several systems out there to do the job, one uses a membrane that channels the water to a drain around the inside perimeter of the basement. Another involves digging up all around the outside of the basement and coating the walls, and installing drainage tile around the perimeter of the basement.
If you are renting the landlord is responsible for the repairs. Another problem that occurs with wet basements is mold growth, some of these can cause severe reactions in humans. Good luck.

 

You don't waterproof a basement. Oh wait, I have no idea what I'm talking about. We don't get basements in South Louisiana.

 

I just had this done. Our basement is finally dry as a bone but cost almost $10k with all the structural repair... waterproofing was about $6k. The landlord will want to use UGL Drylock. It didn't work at all for us and is just a band-aid on the problem anyway.

First make sure the gutters are working. When we moved in the gutters were useless and the damage had been done. Keep water away from the house however you can.

 

damn 10k is way more then I want to spend on a house

1. I am going to live in for only 3 years.
2. don't own.

I'll have to negotiate with the landlord to see if we can work something out.

 

Call God and ask him to make the rain stop

 

Wet basements are a real pain in the ass and can be very difficult and costly to fix. I would not buy or rent anything that has basement drainage problems. Good luck.

 

I totally agree, unfortunately we have no choice as my wife is starting her Oncology Fellowship and this is hospital provdied housing. It is the only house available this year, we have dogs and the apartments won't allow them. Believe me, I'd rather stay in our current home, but with her call schedule we need to be as close to the hospital as possible to make her life easier.