Everyone I know uses risers, that wasn't your problem, you said the bottom of your pots were damp, how could that be underwatered. Sounds like now, that they were never watered to run-off properly.
What I'd do now is pick up your pot and see how heavy it is, and don't water them again till your pots are lite weight.
Sure glad you fixed the problem though. I'd rather under water mine than overwater them, but everyone is different.
If you watch them real good, you can tell when they are getting close to need water, the leaves will be looking great, and standing up, I can go pick up my pots and they are as lite as feathers, but in an hour's time they will start wilting. You want to water them before that, but a little wilting ain't gonna hurt nothin, if you catch it in time.
Good Luck with them.
My bad I read wrong ,I thought you said the risers caused the problem, sorry about that.
I bet you feel much better now that it's fixed.
Good Luck with them.807