Wetness along the bottom of foundation in crawl space

i am getting water seeping into the crawl space from underneath.  I know the previous owner had installed an elaborate french drain system all around the house.  The house sits on a slope below the ground level of the front yards.  Also, the moisture appears most underneath concrete steps that lead into the house.

I'm assuming the drain is plugged as this is the first year i've noticed it and we've been in the house for over 10 years.

Question, how deep typically doe the steps go and if i install a new french drain system will i be able to get the drain underneath these steps.

I can post a picture next time.

There's no telling how deep the steps go, depends on how they were built. If poured in place concrete, they should have a foundation going below frost line. It may be that the french drain didn't go under the steps for that reason.