Icicle Problem on Back Porch?

Question

The spouting has frozen solid and it looks like water is running over the edge and freezing into icicles. But that isn't the problem. Or maybe it is: there are tiny icicles appearing on the *ceiling* of the back porch. All I can figure is that water is backing up underneath the shingles and is dripping down through the ceiling. One icicle is right next to the light fixture, in fact, there is a little bit of ice on the lightbulb. (yikes!) That is a worrisome development there! I got a roof rake today with the intention of getting some of the snow off the roof, but what about the light fixture? Will it be ok?
And--what do I do about the rest of the porch? The roof was put on about five years ago, it shouldn't need re-roofed, but...

Answer 1

theres not a lot ya can do till spring...just try keeping the snow cleard off the roof till you can get a good look at whats happening at the 'transition' between the main building and the addition...i bet the falt is rite there.
Ice dripping from a fixture indicates the leak is up-side , and it could well be a good distance from the ice you see...
if there is no ice in the main building, the leak is at the addition...i'ed look there for the problem.
You are correct thinking the roof is short it's life expectancy..asphalt is a 12 to 15 year product...call the people who 'installed' your re-roofing...see if they back up there work.
Avoid useing your porch electrical a while...let safety be your first concern.
pardon the spelling... the roof is why i answered, not for spelling critique...

Answer 2

The water is backing up under the shingles because chances are they did not install the recommended Ice & Water (I&W) barrier on the edges prior to putting the roof on.

I&W is a rubber-type membrane (been around for 10+ years) with a smooth side (top) and an adhesive side (down). After a roof is stripped to the decking and the drip edge is installed, I&W should be put down (adhesive sticks to decking). Any nails from shingle installation going through the I&W are self sealed by the I&W. It is 3’ high and would have prevented the leaking. If the ice dams were large, they should have put down 2 courses of it (6’ high).

If installed correctly, any ice build-up causing water back up under the shingles, would have hit the waterproof I&W and stopped there – not getting to your ceiling.

Before I did replaced my roof, I had ice dams and a leaky vaulted ceiling. I installed 6’ of the I&W. I still have the large ice dams, but the ceiling is dry. Every good roofer knows to install I&W when water, snow and ice is a factor. Either you paid for it and they didn’t install it (pocketed the money), or they never mentioned it (some roofers think the 15 minutes needed to install a roll is to much time and I&W is a hassle to them). Possibly, if a handyman (not full time roofer) did the work, they may have not been familiar with it.

At a minimum, you are going to have to remove the first 4’ of shingles from the edge, install the I&W to prevent future leaks, and re-shingle. With regards to the light? Turn off the power at the box to that area. Water and electric are not best friends.

There is a simple way to check for I&W. Look at the bottom edge of the roof (up from the gutter). If you fan you finger across they edge and the materials fan like a deck of cards, no I&W was installed. If you have it, it would be firmly stuck to the drip edge.

CNY – where I&W installation should be mandatory. If your local, drop me a line, I give free estimates.