I remember when I first dealt with a similar issue, I was a bit worried about doing the wrong thing too. But once I got the French drain in place, it made a huge difference. Just make sure to plan the slope correctly so the water flows away from your house.

I've had a similar issue in my backyard, and installing a French drain worked wonders for me. It’s a great way to direct water away and let it soak into the ground properly. One thing I'd add is considering a catch basin installation at the start of the French drain. It can help collect and manage larger amounts of water, especially during heavy rainfalls. When I did mine, the catch basin really helped prevent water from pooling around my house. It's fairly easy to set up, and there are plenty of guides online if you need a step-by-step.