Today is PEAK time for a Christmas house emergency: How to keep away from getting ripped off in case your heating breaks otherwise you discover a leak

Friday 12 December is expected to be the busiest day for property emergencies in the run up to Christmas, data suggests. 

Problems with drains, blockages and plumbing systems are expected to be the most common home emergencies, accounting for 35 per cent of issues. 

Wet weather in the past few weeks has exacerbated drainage and plumbing problems, according to property maintenance company Aspect’s findings. 

At this time of year, it is common for things like hot oil to be thrown down sinks when it should not be.  

Food scraps and hot oil down sinks can lead to slow drains and blockages that can turn into costly callouts.

Water leaks and damp problems are set to be the second biggest trigger for emergency callouts to tradespeople. 

Roof problems and issues requiring building repairs are on track to be the third largest driver behind emergency callouts, comprising 17 per cent of calls, according to the research. 

Debris and leaf-filled gutters can overflow in winter rain, while strong winds can loosen tiles and guttering. If not fixed, these problems can allow water into the home. 

Problems with heating, hot water and electrical systems are common at any time of year, and are on track to comprise 15 per cent of emergency callouts during the festive period. 

Aspect said: ‘Festive lights, extra appliances and high boiler use put added strain on systems. Older or boilers that haven’t been serviced and overloaded circuits are more likely to fail during the holiday period.’

According to the analysis, the busiest locations for emergency callouts to the home are predicted to be Greater London, Kent, Essex, Surrey, Hampshire, Hertfordshire, Berkshire, Harrow, Oxford and Brighton.  

Alex Bacon, chief product officer at Aspect, said: ‘People often assume Christmas Eve is the busiest day for callouts, but our data shows the surge starts much earlier.

‘By 12 December, homes are already working harder – heating on longer, Christmas lights plugged in, more people coming and going and unpredictable weather. All of this puts real pressure on properties and the systems that keep them running. 

‘In addition, many people want to sort out any outstanding jobs before the festivities really ramp up.’

How to avoid an emergency callout for your home 

There are a number of simple steps to take to help ensure you do not need to call a tradesperson to your home this Christmas. 

1. Always ensure gutters and outdoor drains are cleared properly and make sure leaves and debris are removed so rainwater can flow freely. 

2. Check your heating system as soon as you can. Make sure your boiler pressure is correct, your radiators are heating evenly, and there are no unusual noises or leaks.

3. Be careful not to overload sockets. Festive lights and extra devices can overwhelm plugs, increasing fire risk. 

4. Always keep fats and food waste out of sinks. With the kitchen working overtime, avoid pouring oils or scraps down the drain to prevent blockages.

5. Insulate outdoor taps and exposed pipes. Fit tap covers or insulation to outdoor pipes ahead of cold snaps to avoid frozen, burst pipes.

6. Test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. This should be a top priority at any time of year. More cooking, heating and electricity use makes now the ideal time to check alarms and replace batteries.

How to avoid getting ripped off by tradespeople

In some cases it will be necessary to call a tradesperson to come and make emergency repairs to your property. 

Getting a tradesperson out in an emergency does not come cheap. It is easy to make rash decisions in a hurry and call the first person who looks like they can do the job on Google. 

First, however, you should check if the emergency could be covered by your home insurance policy.  

Even in an emergency, it is essential to compare quotes from several tradespeople to ensure you are not paying over the odds. 

Try to get at least three quotes from tradespeople in your area. Always get a comprehensive quote in writing and ensure you know what is being included and excluded in the price. The quote needs to detail costs for things like labour, materials, timescales, and payment stages.

Recommendations from people you know and trust can be very helpful when trying to find a tradesperson.

Make sure you only hire tradespeople with relevant qualifications and accreditations, and check if they are part of national trade schemes. Schemes include TrustMark, Competent Person Scheme, Consumer Codes Approval Scheme, or schemes run by other national trade associations.

Take a look at reviews carefully and, where possible, try and contact people who have used the tradesperson you are considering hiring. 

Ask to see their liability insurance certificate and check that it covers both you and their workers on-site. 

You should never pay upfront for work on your home. A small, nominal deposit following an exchange of a written quote or other paperwork can be acceptable. Good tradespeople will always agree to staged payments. 

Even in an emergency, keep a cool head and do not be pressured into accepting a quote you have concerns about.