In order for water to drain away from this home it will have to build up nearly 8" of water against the foundation before it will overflow the highest part of the grade. Always have the grade running away from the house. Sometimes this means bringing in a lot of dirt, but in the big picture clean topsoil is far cheaper than a rotted beam or a major mold problem.

**Never correct a negative grade with mulch, this will only give the appearance of a positive grade. Only dirt can correct a negative grading problem.