Water table (architecture)

Brick water table at Reads Landing School in Minnesota, US

A water table is a projection of masonry on the lower outside of a wall, slightly above the ground, or at the top of a wainscot section of a wall (in this case also known as a sill).

It is both a functional and architectural feature that consists of a projection that deflects water running down the face of a building away from lower courses or the foundation. ^{[1] [2]} A water table may also be primarily decorative, as found near the base of a wall or at a transition between materials, such as from stone to brick. The top of the water table is often sloped or chamfered to throw off water. ^[3]

Water table behind St. George's Church, Norwich, Norfolk, England

Often damp proofing is placed at the level of the water table to prevent upward wicking of ground water. ^[4]

References

1. Dietrich, Bud. "Water Table". Houzz. Retrieved 24 October 2016.
2. "Accent banding" (PDF). Stone Legends. Retrieved 24 October 2016.
3. Parker (1888), p. 327
4. Technical Notes 2 – Glossary of Terms Relating to Brick Masonry

Bibliography

• Parker, John Henry (1888), A Concise Glossary of Architure, London: Parker and Co

External links

• Definition (with photograph) from Illustrated Architecture Dictionary at Buffalo as an Architectural Museum