Kickout Flashing & Why It’s Important

Today we’re at a cool kickout flashing installation right in our hometown of Elk River. This building was built in 1860 and actually used to be the city’s Jail House. It’s obviously not anymore, but it does need some repairs and updates to keep up the integrity of this structure.

During this siding project, in particular, we found a lot of damage from years and years of water damage due to a roof terminating at the siding, without any flashing installed. We found that at some point, the last time this roof was installed a flashing was installed, but the damage had already been done. This project in particular only reiterates the reason why flashing and kickout flashing are very important to avoid rotting wood behind your siding.

The Importance of Properly Installing Kickout Flashing

When an eave comes to an end along the side of the house, rainwater is going to just run along, and behind, that siding. When the water gets trapped behind there, there’s no escaping. This can lead to water leaks, damage, and rot. Some properly installed kickout flashing will steer that water down the eave, and out away from the house with a sharp turn. This is crucial to protecting the integrity of the home or building. And it’s a very small detail that offers great reward and protection to your siding and your roof.

Finding Yourself Needing to Install Flashing

Reasons why you may find yourself needing to install flashing include; improper installation, it was removed, or it was never installed. Anywhere a roof and exterior wall connect and the gutter or eave continues along the wall, or where gutters end along the side of a chimney need to have flashing installed. The flashing must be watertight and installed at the proper angle to allow for water to run away from the home and not leak through the seam. It’s possible a homeowner may have removed the flashing themselves because they look unsightly, so it’s important to ensure clients and homeowners that these are necessary to avoid damage and future problems with a home’s exterior long-term.

Issues That Come with Improper Kickout Flashing

Even professional contractors can make some huge mistakes when it comes to flashing. In fact, we did a whole write up on it here. Failure to install any flashing at all at where your roof and siding intersect can lead to a number of problems. Another common place of flashing failure is around chimneys and vents. It can lead to damaged siding, mold growth, and water leakage into your attic, up high, or window sills along the sides of your house. Flashing and your gutters are intended to keep water and moisture away from your home, and out of crevasses in your home’s siding and exterior walls.  In some states, it is required for home inspectors to check for and inspect any and all flashing on your home’s exterior. If you feel water leakage or other issues are due to lack of or improper kickout flashing, have an inspector come and take a look. Or give us a call immediately for a FREE estimate for flashing installation or repair. We are happy to help!

Whenever a roof or siding replacement is done on a new or existing home, ensure the contractors install flashing where appropriate and that it’s installed correctly. This will save on other repairs down the road, and keep your home’s integrity in place. If you suspect your kickout flashing needs repair or replacement, give us a call at 763-710-2933, or contact us here for a virtual consultation and FREE estimate.