My backyard is not level. It turns into a swamp when it rains, especially around the roof line by the patio. It does not drain and takes days to dry out. The dogs were constantly bringing in mud.
The solution, besides leveling the entire backyard, is a French drain. I finally had one installed over the summer, right before Charlie and I left for NYC and BlogHer ’15. I’m ecstatic to say that it works!! Now when it rains the water drains out by the street in the front yard.