Basement Waterproofing 101 | What is a False Water Table?

Everyone knows a water table, but what is a "false water table?" It is essential to understand what it is before waterproofing your basement or crawl space.
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Since 1997, American Dry Basement Systems is waterproofing basements, encapsulating crawl spaces, installing sump pumps and battery backup systems and repairing foundation cracks in basements throughout Connecticut & Southeastern New York. Our mission is a simple one. We ensure that every customer that installs our basement waterproofing system will be water-free for life.
Keywords: American Dry Basement Systems, home improvement, Peter O'Shea, basement waterproofing, crawl space waterproofing, sump pump installation, foundation crack repair, crawl space sealing, french drain, basement waterproofers, basement waterproofing installers, sump pump installers, contractors
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[@LanceZ]

As a waterproofing professional myself I have to say you are right on the money. There are so many gimmicky sales companies that try to give waterproofing a sexy spin with the garbage solutions they give that really are only designed to make them more money and not protect the homes. I'm glad you've made these videos in such a clear way for people to understand from a scientific point of view. Clearly, you love what you do and love understanding this as much as I do.

[@jasonandjennifervilbig2151]

Thanks for all your help! These videos are very informative!

[@davidgreen7342]

Very good video with alot of good information thank you for taking time to explain and visualize it

[@AmericanDryBasementSystems]

Glad it was helpful!

[@jrock-xs9vp]

Great information

[@waynesokolosky3124]

Good info

[@dthfrmabv82]

Great video, seems like this is the exact issue I'm having at my house.

[@vijaykumar-xr3yn]

Good idea Im fro india

[@Katana_00]

Thoughts on permeable pavers outside home?

[@judahlabrie4593]

Would this be why it sounded like a river was rushing around my basement… yet my crawl space was bone dry. I had water leaking from all the outer wall and the floor.

[@nicholastube17]

what did mean when at @1:45 mark when he said "it is a good idea to have your floors over and holding the walls out"? He lost me there.

[@chandrafredrick]

Would you do a sump in addition to the inside drain? We're having this exact issue with our home which caused mold in our crawlspace. We've remediated, regraded around the house, but in an exterior french drain from our downspout and to the storm drain and with heavy rains we still get water in our unfinished crawl, both around the perimeter drain and from under the dirt/gravel floor (we have dug holes so we can really see how much water is coming in. We haven't gotten consistent answers from any waterproofing companies (we're in Columbus, OH) -- one says just encapsulate, one says we need drain tile and sump and professional dehumidifier. We need a permanent solution but also don't want to spend $8k more if we don't have to and it is so hard to know who to listen to. Thanks in advance.

[@AmericanDryBasementSystems]

You did all the right things. Sometimes exterior grading or drainage to a storm drain can be the root cause. Those are more affordable to fix, excluding exterior excavation and perimeter drainage. Don't waste money on exterior excavation. Interior drainage is always the best choice and should have an operating sump pump or two pumps for anything over 110 linear feet. I advise you to watch a video we made last year. It seems to fit your situation. Avoid the system we tear out. It is worthless for this situation. Here is the link, and good luck. kzbin.info/www/bejne/mmSzimqba5aco6M

[@mauriceg5943]

@@AmericanDryBasementSystemsthat i just did … water 8k for exterior excavation

[@johnlim123]

so which is best? inside footer drainage systems or outside footer drained systems? wouldn't you want the water to not create pressure on walls in first place?

[@AmericanDryBasementSystems]

Inside drainage with a lifetime warranty. No one will give you a lifetime warranty for outside drainage because it will not last and lateral pressure will return.

[@LanceZ]

Depends on the grade really. Most homes would benefit from an interior system over an exterior but I have seen situations where an external is best.

[@PrimitiveMLG]

Do you do California? I’m in San Diego and struggling!!

[@AmericanDryBasementSystems]

americandry.com/service-areas/

[@AndrewThiriot]

Will the backfill area of a newer house become compacted, more dense, and less porous with time, reducing the ability for false water table to emerge? Or will houses always have the false water table problem?

[@AmericanDryBasementSystems]

The backfill area will always and forever be more porous and softer than the hardpan clay area surrounding the house. Even after 50 years of settling. That backfill area is always at risk of having a false water table.

[@AndrewThiriot]

Thank you!

[@naturalbodybuilder9120]

Does your system work well if superior basement walls our done?

[@AmericanDryBasementSystems]

Our system still works great with superior basement walls, except we will not be able to use engineering tabs or use our SuperSlurry on the walls.

[@carolyndudek705]

Is there any way to compact the soil around the exterior to reduce or prevent this “false water table”?

[@AmericanDryBasementSystems]

No. That backfill soil around your house will never ever get the same density as the untouched hardpan clay 8 feet beyond your home. Hardpan clay is thousands of years in the making. Man cannot replicate it with existing machinery without causing damage to the home.

[@jamesjazwinski4412]

Here walkouts are dug a min 4ft below frost/basement floor then backfilled and tampered on the interior side. On the out side the softpan can become like quicksand when it rains. More so around a basewall section from my experience. I'm basically saying I was chest deep while holding onto the basewall to stop my self from going under. Good times.

[@LanceZ]

There are injectibles that will stabilize the soils (generally used in more commercial applications but if the homeowner has the cash anything is possible

[@fernwehchronicles193]

@@jamesjazwinski4412 Oh my gosh that is truly, utterly scary and sinkholes are one of my fears in life in general. I wonder if instead of shoveling the earth back in if we just put gravel? I wonder if that word mitigate drainage issues and quicksand issues.

[@naturalbodybuilder9120]

Can a false water table be created by rain water that drains from the street into the front of my yard?

[@AmericanDryBasementSystems]

The surface water in your front yard will certainly contribute to the false water table.

[@felixmadison5736]

My water table problem sure as heck isn't false! We get three or four inches, (or more!) every year when the water table rises even when we've had little snow or rain for long periods of time. It only affects certain areas and homes of our street.

[@seanwagner3605]

Shifty eyes, be careful.

[@l.g.a.8930]

Well... this is discouraging and it is not helping. We are listening to the truth and if that could help. By slandering does not go too far.