What is kickout flashing?
Kickout flashing is a small metal diverter installed where a roofline meets a sidewall to channel water away from the siding rather than allowing it to run down the wall.
When a roof ends at a sidewall, water running down the roof plane can flow directly onto the siding below if nothing diverts it. Kickout flashing is the metal piece that does this job. It sits at the corner where the roof meets the wall, angled to push water outward into the gutter or away from the wall surface entirely.
In Lake County homes, the absence of kickout flashing is one of the most common culprits behind hidden rot found during siding repairs. Water that should have been diverted instead soaks the wall framing, OSB sheathing, and the back of the siding material itself. Homeowners often do not see the damage until a contractor removes siding for a repair job or an inspection reveals soft spots in the wall.
Without proper kickout flashing, water can work into the wall cavity for years before visible signs appear. By then, replacement may be necessary rather than simple sealing or patching. Installing or replacing kickout flashing during new construction or roof work is far cheaper than addressing the rot it prevents. If you are planning siding work or roof repairs, confirming that kickout flashing is installed at every transition point between roof and wall is essential for protecting your home from long-term water damage.
Contractors in siding repair often identify missing or failed kickout flashing during initial inspections and can address it as part of a comprehensive wall restoration.