What is kickout flashing and why is it so important?
If you’ve had a home inspection recently, you may have heard your home inspector bring up missing or inadequate kickout flashing. So what in the world is kickout flashing? Kickout flashing, or diverter flashing, is a simple piece of metal bent into a “V” shape that directs water away from the building in areas where the roof surface ends at a wall.
When installed properly, kickout flashing protects against water penetration into the building envelope. Serious damage can occur from water getting behind the siding. Kickout flashing is an important detail when it comes to protecting the integrity of the structure.
Where should kickout flashing be installed?
Kickout flashing should be installed anywhere a wall extends past the lower edge of a roof surface and gutter. Failure to install kickout flashing at these locations can allow large amounts of water to penetrate the siding and become trapped. Water trapped behind the siding or inside the wall can lead to serious damage and mold issues. The flashing must be properly sealed and installed at the correct angle (no less than 110 degrees) in order to divert water away from the home.
In the photo above, kickout flashing is installed, but it is not functioning as it should
Moisture damage from missing flashing. Picture courtesy of Rene Munoz Plastering
Why doesn’t my home have kickout flashing?
If you’ve had a home inspection that noted the absence of, or areas of inadequate kickout flashing, there may be a few reasons why:
- Kickout flashing was never installed
The need and importance of kickout flashing has been brought to light only recently. The builder may not have been aware of the need for kickout flashing at the time your home was built. If you live in an older home, kickout flashing may not have been required at the time your home was built. - The kickout flashing was modified
The importance of kickout flashing is often unknown to homeowners. Some think that they are unsightly and choose to modify them by reducing their height or cutting them flush with the wall. Both of these modifications greatly reduces the kickout flashing’s effectiveness.
If you feel your home may be experiencing water damage due to missing or inadequate kickout flashing, contact a home inspector to take a look. If you notice areas of your home that are in need of proper kickout flashing, contact a licensed roofing contractor to provide a quote on installing the flashing where necessary. A little bit of prevention can go a long way to preserving the integrity of your home’s exterior.
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