When the overall lot drainage is toward the house what can be used to direct the water away from home is it swales sweles swails swells?

The area of land around buildings should be formed so that any surface water in the immediate surroundings (extending at an absolute minimum of 0.5m (20") beyond the building) is directed away from the building. This can be done by sloping the land at at least 1 in 50/2%/1.15 degrees or more, or by having drainage channels around the perimeter. (Check local authority regulations.)

The water diverted away from the immediate surrounds of the building by slopes or drains then needs to be able to flow away further so that it does not back up to the building. Swales, drains and slopes can all achieve this.

A swale is a wide concave vegetated channel that allows slow surface flow of water and also allows the water to soak gradually into the soil, reducing the chance of a large peak flow of water, and recharging the water table. The vegetation must be maintained to ensure water can flow through the swale, and the swale will need to carry any water beyond the capacity it can immediately absorb to a stormwater system or waterway.