Home emergency callouts set to spike on Easter Monday, analysis indicates

Business | Money Home emergency callouts set to spike on Easter Monday, analysis indicatesWith households keeping busy and cooking extra meals, the bank holiday weekend can be a time when home emergencies come to a head. Slow-draining sinks and gurgling noises can indicate a home emergency problem, HomeServe said (Alamy/PA)Vicky Shaw3 minutes agoNews from The City, market updates plus comment and analysis from our business desk Sign up I would like to be emailed about offers, event and updates from Evening Standard. Read our privacy notice. Emergency callouts for problems around homes – such as blocked drains, toilet faults and leaking pipes – often spike on Easter Monday, according to a specialist provider. HomeServe said analysis of its data in recent years indicated that Easter Monday is consistently the busiest day of the Easter bank holiday weekend. Overall, Easter Monday accounts for nearly a third (31%) of Easter weekend callouts, compared with 26% on Good Friday, 25% on Saturday and 18% on Easter Sunday, according to the analysis of HomeServe data running from 2023 to 2025. Chris Houghton, a home expert at HomeServe, said: “Easter weekend is one of those times when homes are working harder than usual, from extra cooking to more people using bathrooms and appliances. “Often, small issues like slow drains or minor leaks go unnoticed or are put off until after the weekend. By the time Monday comes around, those problems have built up and need urgent attention.” Here are some suggestions from Mr Houghton to prevent a bank holiday ending in an emergency callout: 1. Avoid tipping fat down the drain. Easter roasts and extra cooking can put pressure on pipes and cause blockages. 2. Keep an eye on early warning signs. Slow-draining sinks, gurgling noises or bad smells can indicate a blockage forming. Tackling small issues early can prevent a bigger problem later. 3. Do not ignore dripping taps or small leaks. A minor leak may not seem urgent, but over a busy weekend it can worsen quickly. Fixing or containing it early can help avoid more serious damage. 4. Know how to shut off your water. If a pipe leaks or bursts, being able to quickly locate and turn off a stopcock can limit damage and allow time until help arrives. MORE ABOUT HomeserveMost Read 1 Football Arsenal injury update: Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice, Gabriel and William Saliba latest news and return dates Arsenal injury update: Saka, Rice, Saliba, Gabriel latest return dates 2 Football Manchester United injury update: Benjamin Sesko, Lisandro Martinez, Patrick Dorgu latest news and return dates Man Utd injury update: Sesko, Martinez and Dorgu latest return dates 3 London Why gangs of feral teenagers are swarming streets causing panic and chaos Why gangs of feral teenagers are swarming streets causing panic 4 London Nick Candy sells Chelsea home for £270m in 'most expensive house sale ever' Nick Candy sells £270m home in 'most expensive house sale ever' 5 Football Man City XI vs Liverpool: Confirmed team news, predicted lineup, injury latest for FA Cup Man City XI vs Liverpool: Confirmed team news and predicted lineup Shopping Best BuysHow to wear polka dots now: 19 standout pieces to buy for spring10 easy upgrades to nail walking 15,000 steps a day, every dayBest weird and wonderful Easter eggs to buy in 2026Best Diptyque perfumes for every mood and occasionBest beauty buys under £10 that rival high-end alternatives