Eventually water pools behind the dam and works its way back up under the shingles and under the soffit until it finds an opening through the roof.
How to stop roof leak in winter.
Shine a flashlight along the underside of the roof and look for a hole in the roof as well as areas that are wet or have been.
Push the shingle or plywood into the tar and trowel more roofing tar around the edges of the patch.
The roof shingles should be softened and flattened as the shingles tend to curl up in winter.
Make use of the flame carefully on the curled shingle edges.
Perhaps placing tube on furnace duct so air heats pre cut tube inside of home then climb up ladder and seal area keeping the sealant warm and easily caulk able.
Begin by removing the shingles down to the wood sheathing and slip a strip of adhesive ice and water barrier available where roofing repair products are sold under the soffit main roof joint.
The shingles can be warmed up with a propane torch.
The secret to caulking in winter time is to heat the sealant in the tube.
The solution begins with good flashing since this should stop leaks from rainfall and might stop the leaks from ice dams as well.
Run water over the low side of the penetration for several minutes while the helper watches for any water droplets.
Trowel the roofing tar into the leak on the underside of the roof deck using a putty knife.
The ice builds back up when it reaches the wall line where the house is heated and it creates an interior drip.
Sealing the shingle to the object can be accomlished with a roofing sealant available at menards lowes etc.
Begin soaking low on the roof just above where the leak is visible inside the house.
Use enough water to mimic heavy rains.
Proper ventilation rain and ice shields along with installing a drip edge will help prevent this problem.
This will freeze the leaking water in place but you ll still need to deal with the ice dam or it will melt and start leaking again.
Locate the source of the leak by examining the underside of the roof from within your attic or crawl space.
To stop the leak use a long handled roof rake to remove snow from your roof or blow cold air onto the area of the roof that is leaking in your attic using a box fan.