From another thread
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/showthread.php?threadid=167117&highlight=french :
"My preference is to attack this problem outside the house. If you merely need to redirect swelling ground water away from your foundation then you can go with perforated PVC pipe, GeoTech cloth and 1-2" gravel. Dig a four foot trench around your foundation, drop a foot of gravel, lay pipe with cloth (on an angle), more gravel (6") and cover. The pipe will use gravity to direct water away from your home.
Of course there are MANY variables but this is a common approach."
You can also tie the downspouts into the drainaige system.
"Here's some more info:
http://www.askthebuilder.com/070_Li...t_Seepage.shtml
http://www.builderswebsource.com/te...fs/drainage.htm "