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Roof Kick-Out Flashing: The Small Piece of Metal That Prevents Major Water Damage

  • Writer: Bill Jew
    Bill Jew
  • Mar 4
  • 5 min read

Most homeowners have never heard of roof kick-out flashing, but it plays a critical role in protecting your home from water damage.


At Cornerstone Restoration, we inspect roofs throughout Schaumburg, Barrington, Naperville, Arlington Heights, Roselle, Bartlett, and surrounding Chicagoland suburbs, and one issue appears almost every time we evaluate a roof-to-wall intersection:


Kick-out flashing is missing.


In fact, based on hundreds of inspections our team performs every year, nearly 99% of the homes we inspect do not have properly installed kick-out flashing.


That small missing piece of metal can allow water to run directly behind siding and into the wall system of your home. Over time, this can lead to rotted sheathing, mold growth, insulation damage, and structural deterioration inside the wall cavity.


Because the damage happens inside the building envelope, many homeowners do not realize there is a problem until costly repairs are required.


Understanding what kick-out flashing is — and why it matters — is one of the most important steps in protecting your home’s exterior from hidden moisture intrusion.



Kick-out flashing installed at a roof-to-wall intersection directing rainwater into the gutter on a home in Schaumburg Illinois
Example of properly installed kick-out flashing directing water from the roof into the gutter and away from the siding.

Roof kick-out flashing installed at the junction of a roof and wall to direct water away from the building envelope



Why 99% of Homes We Inspect in Schaumburg and Chicagoland Are Missing It

When our team at Cornerstone Restoration inspects roofs across Schaumburg, Naperville, Barrington, Arlington Heights, Roselle, Bartlett, and the surrounding Chicagoland suburbs, we consistently see the same problem.


Most homes are missing roof kick-out flashing.


In fact, based on hundreds of roof inspections we perform every year:


About 99% of homes we inspect do not have properly installed kick-out flashing.


That might sound like a small detail — but it can lead to serious water damage inside your home’s walls.


And the scary part?


If kick-out flashing is missing, water has almost certainly already entered the building envelope.


Let’s break down what kick-out flashing is, why it matters, and why we see it missing on so many homes in Illinois.


What Is Roof Kick-Out Flashing?

Kick-out flashing is a small but critical piece of metal flashing installed where a roof edge meets a vertical wall — typically where the roofline ends at siding.


Its purpose is simple:


It directs rainwater away from the wall and into the gutter.


Without kick-out flashing, water running down the roof can:

• Run behind siding

• Enter the wall cavity

• Soak sheathing and framing

• Cause mold and rot inside the wall


Kick-out flashing acts like a diverter, kicking water out and into the gutter system instead of allowing it to run into the wall assembly.


Where Kick-Out Flashing Should Be Installed

Kick-out flashing is required anywhere a roof-to-wall intersection meets the gutter line.


You will typically see it at:

• Roof edges that terminate into siding

• Dormer roof intersections

• Garage roof connections to the main house

• Porch roofs meeting a wall

• Additions tied into the main structure


In many cases across Schaumburg and the northwest suburbs, the flashing is simply missing — especially on homes built in the early 2000s or earlier.


What Happens When Kick-Out Flashing Is Missing?

Without kick-out flashing, rainwater running down the roof follows the path of least resistance.


Water damage behind siding caused by missing roof kick-out flashing at a roof-to-wall intersection

Damage inside the wall system caused by missing kick-out flashing allowing rainwater to run behind siding.


Instead of entering the gutter, the water flows behind the siding.


This leads to hidden moisture intrusion inside the wall assembly.


Over time, we commonly find:

• Rotting wall sheathing

• Mold growth behind siding

• Structural wood decay

• Damaged insulation

• Interior drywall staining

• Swollen trim or baseboards


Because the damage occurs inside the wall, homeowners often don’t discover the problem until repairs become extensive.


Why 99% of Homes We Inspect Are Missing Kick-Out Flashing

During roof inspections throughout Schaumburg, Hoffman Estates, Elk Grove Village, Roselle, Bartlett, and the greater Chicagoland area, we frequently see kick-out flashing missing for several reasons.


1. Many Older Homes Were Never Built With It

Many homes built before modern building codes simply did not include kick-out flashing requirements.


Builders often relied only on step flashing and siding overlap.


Unfortunately, that system alone does not properly divert water.


2. Roof Replacements Often Skip It

When roofs are replaced, some contractors do not remove siding to properly install kick-out flashing.


Instead, they simply reinstall shingles and reuse existing flashing.


The result?


The original problem remains hidden.


3. Siding Contractors Sometimes Overlook It

Siding installers may install siding without coordinating flashing integration with the roof system.


If kick-out flashing is not installed during siding installation, water management at that junction becomes compromised.


Chicago Weather Makes This Problem Worse

The Midwest experiences heavy rain, wind-driven storms, ice dams, and snow melt.

In the Chicago and Schaumburg area, these conditions push water into vulnerable areas of the roof system.


When kick-out flashing is missing, stormwater can be forced directly into the wall system during:

• Wind-driven rainstorms

• Ice dam melt cycles

• Heavy summer downpours

• Freeze/thaw cycles


Over time, this repeated exposure causes significant hidden damage.


How Cornerstone Restoration Identifies This Issue

During roof inspections, our team carefully examines roof-to-wall transitions.


Signs that kick-out flashing is missing often include:

• Water staining on siding near roof edges

• Rot or softness behind siding

• Excessive caulking attempts

• Mold or discoloration near roof-wall joints

• Gutters not catching roof runoff at wall terminations


Because we specialize in roofing, siding, gutters, and exterior restoration, we understand how these systems work together as a complete water management system.


Proper Installation of Kick-Out Flashing

Installing kick-out flashing correctly requires integrating several exterior components.


Proper installation typically involves:

  1. Removing siding near the roof termination

  2. Installing a formed kick-out flashing piece

  3. Integrating step flashing along the roof-to-wall intersection

  4. Installing underlayment and water barrier correctly

  5. Reinstalling siding with proper clearance


When done correctly, the flashing directs all water safely into the gutter system.


Why This Matters for Homeowners in Schaumburg and the Chicago Suburbs

Your home’s exterior works as a building envelope designed to keep water out.


Even a small failure in that system can allow water to enter areas you cannot see.


Because kick-out flashing problems are hidden, many homeowners discover the issue only when:

• Siding needs replacement

• A roof is replaced

• Water damage appears inside the home

• Mold remediation becomes necessary


Addressing flashing issues early can prevent thousands of dollars in hidden structural repairs.


Cornerstone Restoration provides professional roof inspections, kick-out flashing installation, flashing repairs, and roof replacements throughout Schaumburg and the surrounding Chicagoland suburbs.


👉 Schedule your inspection today:


📞 Call us directly: (847) 885-0097


Whether you need kick-out flashing installed, roof flashing repaired, or a full roof inspection, our team is ready to help ensure your home is properly protected from water intrusion.


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