If you are in the market for a new roof, you might be thinking about which material or color to choose. And while these are definitely considerations, it’s the lesser-known components that can cost you big down the road.
Imagine you finally take the plunge and invest in a new roof. The crew shows up, tears off the old shingles, and has the roof replaced in a matter of days. The home looks great, the gutters are clean, and you feel confident the new roof will keep your home protected for years to come. Fast forward nine months, and you begin to notice water stains on the ceiling and bubbling paint in the upstairs room right where the roof meets the exterior wall. Dismissing it at first, you later notice the exterior siding starts to warp near the roofline. After a professional inspection, it is revealed that water has been running off the roof, behind the siding, unchecked since the first day the roof was replaced. Now, you’re not only looking at a roof repair on a brand new roof replacement, but you’re also facing the expense of rotted walls, saturated insulation, and mold growth. The culprit? A missing kick-out flashing, a small, inexpensive piece of metal that should have been installed during the roof replacement.
For many homeowners, kick-out flashing is a detail they have never heard of, until it becomes an expensive lesson. In this article, you’ll learn all the important details of kick-out flashing. Knowing what they are, when they should be installed, and what happens if they are skipped gives homeowners the power to keep their homes and wallets protected. Rather than assuming everything will be done right, as in the unfortunate scenario above (which is not all that uncommon), use the list of questions at the end to hire a thoughtful, experienced roofer from the get-go. Let’s get started.
What Is Kick-Out Flashing and Where Is It Installed?
It sounds fancy, but really, kick-out flashing is a simple, small piece of metal or pre-formed plastic installed on a roof where sloped roofs meet vertical walls. Sitting at the lowest point where the roof and vertical wall meet, its design “kicks” water into the gutter system rather than letting it drain down the wall behind the gutters. Without kick-out flashing properly installed at transition points, water runs behind the exterior walls rather than flowing into the gutter, where it can be safely directed away from the home.
When it comes to installing kick-out flashing, the Michigan Residential Code follows the International Residential Code, which requires flashing at specific roof-wall intersections. Anywhere a roof slope meets a vertical exterior wall and ends at the gutter line, a kick-out must be installed. Common locations of placement include:
- Where second-story walls meet a lower roof.
- Where a lower roof (garage or porch) meets the main house wall.
- Along dormer sidewalls.
- Any place step flashing ends at the eave.
For proper placement and maximum performance, kick-out flashing needs to be installed early during roofing replacement. For water to flow over the roof and into the kick-out, they must be installed before the shingles and step flashing above it. Older homes were often built before this feature became standard practice, which means roofing replacement is the ideal time to add them if they are missing.
The Damage Kick-Out Flashing Prevents
With kick-out flashing properly installed, water can flow exactly where it belongs: in the gutters. Without it, water doesn’t just drip harmlessly down the siding; it seeps and saturates every layer of the walls, especially during heavy rain, snowmelt, or in ice dam conditions. When kick-out flashing is poorly installed or missing entirely, the following results are predictable (and expensive):
- Rotting of the wall sheathing and frame.
- Mold and mildew growth in the walls of the home.
- Damage to the framing studs.
- Damage to the insulation (reduces energy efficiency).
- Staining and/or crumbling of interior walls and ceilings.
- Warped and rotting exterior walls.
- Compromised structural integrity of the home.
One of the most discouraging parts? This type of damage can remain hidden for several years before becoming visible. In the worst-case scenarios, water damage from missing kick-out flashing can be so catastrophic that it requires extensive demolition and rebuilding, costing thousands.
The Cost of Prevention vs. Major Repairs
Prevention is by far the least expensive approach to keeping homes protected from water intrusion. For example, the material for a quality kick-out flashing piece costs between $5 and $30. When kick-out flashing is installed during a Traverse City roofing replacement, labor to install it is typically included. The cost of installing kick-out flashing after a replacement can cost several hundred dollars, depending on the size and complexity of the roof. No matter how you add it up, prevention is significantly less than repairing damage caused by their absence.
Home repair costs from missing kick-out flashing can start in the thousands and quickly rise, depending on how long moisture has been entering the walls. Repairs may be:
- Minor flashing-related leaks can cost up to $ 1,500.
- Full home restoration from water damage, including drying and mold remediation, can run between $ 1,400 and more than $ 6,000.
- Structural repairs, which may include new siding, framing, or interior work, can easily exceed $ 20,000.
When comparing the cost of water damage caused by missing kick-out flashing to the few dollars it costs to include it, it’s easy to see how a small $20 cost during roof replacement can save you thousands in the future. The math is simple: pay a little attention and money now to save a fortune later. So, how can you be sure your roofing replacement is done right, including kick-out flashing?
9 Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Roofer
When it’s time for a roof replacement, don’t assume every roofer will do things the right way. Unfortunately, many homeowners experience problems after working with roof contractors who cut corners. Protect yourself and your home by asking these nine questions before hiring a professional:
- Do you install kick-out flashing at ALL roof-to-wall intersections?
- Do you follow current building code requirements?
- Do you install kick-out flashing before the step flashing and shingles?
- Do you inspect the existing flashing and replace it if needed?
- Is kick-out flashing included in the estimate?
- Do you offer warranties on the flashing specifically?
- How do you ensure the siding laps correctly? If you have to loosen or adjust the siding, how is that handled?
- Are you licensed and insured?
- Can you provide any local references?
An experienced and reputable contractor will welcome these questions, and some will even walk you through each detail of a roofing replacement on-site to ensure all your concerns are addressed. Anyone who can’t answer these questions or avoids them altogether is waving a giant red flag for homeowners.
Don’t Let a Small Oversight Cost You Big
Your home is probably one of the largest investments you’ll ever make. Not only that, we count on having a safe, secure, and dry place to reside, sheltering us from the outside world. Replacing your roof is much more than getting new shingles; it’s about managing water properly to protect your investment. Kick-out flashing is one of the cheapest and simplest components of a roof replacement, and it can prevent years of hidden moisture damage and thousands in repair costs. Skipping kick-out flashing still ranks among the most expensive mistakes roofers can make. Before hiring a roofer, insist on getting the answers to your questions and sleep better knowing you’ve protected your biggest investment from a preventable flood of trouble. Sometimes the smallest roofing details make the biggest difference.