Homeowners across Kingston are being urged to prepare for an early rise in festive home emergencies, with tomorrow (Friday, 12 December) predicted to be the peak day for winter callouts.

New analysis shows that drains, blockages and plumbing issues are expected to account for around 35% of all problems, driven by unsettled weather bringing wet and windier-than-normal conditions across the UK.

Chessington-based maintenance company, Aspect, which has more than 300 vans across London and the South and East of England, used its Smart Operating System, Chumley.ai, to analyse almost 2,000 pre-Christmas callouts from 2023 and 2024 alongside live weather data.

By matching callout patterns with weather conditions, the system predicts when homes are most at risk and which trades will be needed, helping ensure teams are ready 24/7.

The Festive Fix List: The top home emergencies to watch out for in Kingston are:

Plumbing & Drainage – 35%

Busy festive kitchens make it easy for things to end up down the sink that shouldn't - like hot oil that solidifies when cool, food scraps and other waste. These quickly lead to slow drains and blockages that can turn into costly Christmas callouts.

Leaks, Damp & Restoration – 29%

Wet, windy weather can drive rain into cracks and weak points in a property's exterior, triggering internal leaks, while freezing temperatures create ice plugs in exposed pipes that can cause them to burst. Indoors, the festive season adds pressure too: more cooking, laundry and showering all raise moisture levels, and without adequate heating or ventilation, that excess moisture quickly turns to damp

Roofing & Building Repairs – 19%

Debris and leaf-filled gutters overflow in winter rain, and strong winds can loosen tiles and guttering - all of which can allow water into the home if not fixed promptly. Heating,

Hot Water & Electrical – 17%

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.

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."

Regional hotspots

Aspect's data also reveals the top ten regional hotspots for Christmas callouts, which will be keeping its teams busy throughout London, the South and East of England.

The busiest locations are predicted to be Greater London (including Kingston), Kent, Essex, Surrey, Hampshire, Hertfordshire, Berkshire, Harrow, Oxford and Brighton, driven by increased drainage, plumbing and weather-related issues.

Bacon added: "Our busiest regions over Christmas tend to match the areas where we see the highest lead volumes. That insight helps us plan, ensuring we have the right teams in the right places when demand peaks and keeping our response times strong throughout the festive period."

With more rain and blustery weather expected through mid-December, Aspect is urging homeowners to take a few simple steps now to avoid preventable festive breakdowns.

How to prepare your home for Christmas according to Aspect:

Clear gutters and outdoor drains

Remove leaves and debris so rainwater can flow freely.

Check your heating system

Make sure your boiler pressure is correct, your radiators are heating evenly, and there are no unusual noises or leaks - all early warning signs of a problem.

Do not overload sockets

Festive lights and extra devices can overwhelm plugs, increasing fire risk. Spread the load.

Keep fats and food waste out of sinks

With the kitchen working overtime, avoid pouring oils or scraps down the drain to prevent blockages.

Insulate outdoor taps and exposed pipes

Fit tap covers or insulation to outdoor pipes ahead of cold snaps to avoid frozen, burst pipes.

Test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms

More cooking, heating and electricity use makes now the perfect time to check alarms and replace batteries.