CSLB General Building (B)Finishes and Building EnvelopeEasy
A roofer is flashing the point where a sloped composition shingle roof meets a sidewall and terminates directly above a gutter, rather than continuing as a full step-flashed run up the wall. Which flashing detail is required at this transition to prevent water from running behind the gutter end cap and into the wall?
- AKick-out (diverter) flashing installed at the termination point
- BA continuous piece of step flashing bent to match the roof slope only
- CA wider drip edge installed along the eave only
- DAn additional layer of underlayment extended under the gutter
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: A. Kick-out (diverter) flashing installed at the termination point
Kick-out flashing (also called a diverter) is a specially bent piece of flashing placed at the bottom termination of a roof-wall step flashing run to divert water away from the wall and into the gutter, preventing water intrusion behind the gutter and into the wall assembly. Without it, water runs down the wall cladding and causes hidden rot.
Why the other options are wrong
- B. Continuing step flashing alone does not divert water outward at the termination point.
- C. A wider drip edge at the eave does not solve the sidewall termination problem.
- D. Extra underlayment under the gutter does not address the wall-to-gutter water path.
Kick-Out Flashing
A diverter flashing installed where a roof-to-wall step flashing run terminates at a gutter, directing water away from the wall and into the gutter.
- Prevents hidden wall rot at roof-wall terminations
- Required by code at step-flashed sidewall/gutter intersections
- Often the most common source of stucco/wall water damage when omitted
Memory trick: Kick the water OUT before it soaks the wall.