What is a kick out Flashing?

The first piece of step flashing at the eaves almost always needs to be a kick-out. I rarely see them installed at all. Many times dumping the water from the J-channel and the step flashing behind the siding, rotting out fascia boards.

The lack of a kick-out flashing here was causing water damage on the cedar siding as well as behind the siding. The homeowner became aware of it because it was damaging a door right below this. We installed a kick-out after the previous contractor added a bunch of caulk to "fix" it.

Now ALL the step flashing water goes into the gutter and not between the gutter and siding.