Page 1 of 3
WATERGATE PLUS
New Zealand’s premium all-purpose,
fire retardant wall wrap.
Watergate Plus is specifically designed as a wall underlay for use behind
exterior wall cladding. Made from synthetic materials Watergate Plus is fire
retardant, water resistant and vapour permeable. The water vapour transfer
rate of the product has been optimised to minimise condensation risk in
homes without compromising its primary water barrier properties.
Watergate Plus is part of the Thermakraft One Wrap System. Its unique
construction allows for easier installation while maintaining best in class
performance qualities.
Appraisal No.695 [2017]
INSTALLATION
GUIDE
Page 2 of 3
Application Method
• Fix Watergate Plus underlay with printed side facing the
exterior and run horizontally.
• Fix to all exterior walls from below bearers to the top
plate. Watergate Plus underlay is available in widths of
2740mm and 1370mm. The 2740mm width product is
generally wide enough to cover from below the bottom
plate to the top plate.
• Timber Framing: Pull the Watergate Plus underlay
tight and fix securely to the frame with fasteners such
as galvanized Little Grippers, 6mm-8mm staples or
20mm large head galvanized clouts at 300mm centres
horizontally and vertically.
• Steel Framing: Ensure frame is free from oil, dust and
dirt. Fix securely using construction grade double-sided
tape or adhesive or galvanized flat head screws that
are appropriate for external framing and roofing use, at
300mm centres.
Note: Check adhesive compatibility with Watergate Plus
and the steel framing materials before use.
If using a tape: Apply double-sided tape onto steel frame
studs and only peel off the forward-facing liner once
Watergate Plus is ready to be installed. When ready, peel
off approximately 2m of tape liner at a time and press
Watergate Plus firmly onto tape, ensuring it is taut.
Note: The double-sided tape is to temporarily hold the
Watergate Plus in place until the batten and/or cladding is
installed. The screws used to fix these are the permanent
fixings for Watergate Plus.
• Minimum of 150mm lap is required at joins. All vertical
laps must be made over studs. Horizontal laps to be laid
ship lap style allowing water to be shed to the outer face
of Watergate Plus.
• Cover all windows and door openings with Watergate
Plus underlay. It is recommended that the Watergate Plus
underlay is not cut and prepared for window installation
until the arrival of the windows.
• When windows and doors are ready for installation, the
Watergate Plus underlay covering the openings should
be cut at 45° and folded into the opening and securely
fastened. Thermakraft window flashing tapes are
recommended as the window flashing system.
Note: In accordance with NZBC Acceptable Solution E2/
AS1 and NASH Building Envelope Solutions: 2019 (E2/
AS4), wall underlay must be prevented from bulging into
the drained cavity. Where stud spacing is greater than
450mm, Thermakraft Stud Strap or Thermastrap run
horizontally at 300 centres is an acceptable means of
prevention.
• Once installed, Watergate Plus must not be left exposed
to the weather or UV for a maximum of 90 days.
Watergate Plus underlays will provide temporary weather
protection during construction allowing work to continue.
Internal linings and insulation must not be installed until
the exterior cladding is completed.
• Fastenings behind Brick Veneer Cladding must have an
equivalent service life to that of Brick Veneer (50 years).
Refer to NZBC B2 Durability.
• Repair small damaged areas with any Thermakraft
window flashing tape or Thermakraft Premium Joining
Tape. Any large areas which require repair may be
covered with a second layer of underlay with a lap of
150mm and then taping.
• Watergate Plus underlay must be installed by, or under
the guidance of a licensed building practitioner.
Fix Watergate Plus securely
to the frame.
On arrival of doors and windows, cut Watergate at each opening on a
45° angle away from each corner. Pull the Watergate flaps inside and
fasten to the inside of frame.
Application Tips
Watergate Plus is unaffected by LOSP or other solvent
based treated timber. However, LOSP or other solvent
based treated timber must have sufficient time for
the solvent to flash off in a well-ventilated area.
Recommended minimum 7 days.
25mm Thermakraft Stud Strap or Thermastrap
horizontally at 300mm centres if required
Wall framing shown
as dashed lines
Cavity battens 150mm overlap at stud
Watergate Plus
Premium Synthetic Wall Wrap