Anywhere that a roof directly abuts a wall of your home, there is an elevated risk of roof rot and other forms of water damage. Luckily, kick-out flashing is an effective and relatively simple way to guard against this threat. This article will teach you how to protect against water damage by providing a basic overview of the kick-out flashing installation process.

Problem Areas

The intersection of an angled portion of roof and a vertical wall is highly susceptible to water damage. That's because, when it rains, water coursing down the roof can easily penetrate beneath the edge of the shingles. Not only that, but that same water will be able to run along the wall of your home, often finding cracks and crevices that allow it to penetrate beneath the siding. In either case, leaks, mold, and wood rot are often the result.

Kick-out Flashing

Kick-out flashing is the best way to protect this vulnerable part of your room. Also known as diverter flashing, kick-out flashing consists of a piece of metal, usually aluminum. One end of the flashing is installed beneath the shingles along the seam where roof and wall meet. From here the flashing bends upward at a ninety degree angle and is attached to the wall of your house, thus forming a water-tight barrier.

What You Will Need

Installing kick-out flashing is a fairly simple task, and one that does not need any special tools. You should be able to perform the job using the following:

• a ladder for roof access
• a hammer
• a caulk gun and a tube of exterior caulk
• a cordless drill
• a handful of roofing nails
• the kick-out flashing itself

The Installation Process

The bottom of the kick-out flashing must be installed beneath the column of shingles that run along the wall. You should be able to slip the flashing into place simply by lifting up the appropriate shingles. Nest fasten it to the roof with roofing nails. Be sure that these nails are as long as those used to secure your shingles; if it is too short the flashing may work loose over time.

If necessary, remove one of the existing roofing nails to check for the proper length. Also be aware that the nails used to secure your flashing should be positioned so that they are covered up by the shingles. Otherwise the nail holes will allow water to penetrate beneath the roof.

Now you will need to attach the flashing to the wall. Count yourself lucky if your home is equipped with vinyl siding. In that case, all you have to do is slip the flashing beneath the siding, which will hold it snug against the wall. For wood siding, more nails must be used to attach the kick-out flashing. A line of caulk is then applied to the top. This keeps water from traveling up the wall and penetrating behind the flashing. 

For more information, contact a company like Skerlec Contracting.