Why does an inspector look for a kickout flashing where a roof edge meets a wall?

A kickout flashing solves a specific geometry problem. Where a roof edge terminates against a sidewall — a roof meeting a wall that continues past it, as at a dormer or an offset gable — the water running down the roof edge reaches the end of the gutter line and, without something to redirect it, simply continues straight into the wall cladding below. The kickout is a small piece of flashing at the lowest step that turns that flow outward into the gutter instead. Its absence is one of the most damaging small omissions in residential construction, because the water goes behind the cladding at a single concentrated point and rots the sheathing and framing there, often for years before anything appears inside. The visible clue is staining or deterioration on the wall directly below the roof-wall intersection.

The kickout diverts water running down the roof-wall intersection outward into the gutter, instead of letting it continue into the wall cladding below the roof edge.

Kickout flashing is installed at the lowest point where a roof edge meets a sidewall, diverting concentrated runoff into the gutter. Its absence causes water to enter the wall assembly at that point, producing concealed sheathing and framing decay.

Kick the Water Out at the bottom of the roof-wall line. Without it the runoff walks straight into the wall and stays there.

Look at the wall directly below the intersection for staining, blistered paint or soft cladding. That evidence is often visible long before anything shows inside.

• •Overlooking roof-wall intersections during the exterior walk
• •Treating the missing flashing as minor because nothing shows inside
• •Confusing a kickout with step flashing along the run