TOPEKA (KSNT) - The City of Topeka is busy working on water main breaks following the sudden drop in temperature. City Infrastructure Communications Specialist Amanda Knowland said, since Friday, Jan. 17, city crews have responded to 38 calls for no water and emergency shut-offs for broken pipes. "Extreme weather is one of the highest contributors to water main breaks," Knowland said. "Sudden drops in temperature freeze the ground, putting pressure on pipes." Knowland said that in January city crews have repaired 36 water main breaks. She said city crews worked an "unusually high" number of breaks in January 2024 at 154 total. $11.5 million Caterpillar Wamego plant may have a new owner soon, what to know "In regards to any other infrastructure impacts that the cold weather may have, we mentioned last week that winter precipitation, coupled with freezing and thawing conditions, also contributes to the formation of potholes," Knowland said. AAA of Kansas also has tips to make sure pipes don’t freeze and how to recover if they do. Preventing Frozen Pipes: Make sure everyone in your family knows where the water shut-off valve is and how it works. Insulate pipes in your home’s crawl spaces and attic. Seal gaps around pipes that allow cold air inside. You also should look for air leaks around electrical wiring, clothes dryer vents and pipes. Use caulk or insulation to keep the cold air out. Disconnect garden hoses. If possible, use an indoor valve to shut off and drain water from pipes leading to outside faucets. This reduces the chance that pipes inside the house will freeze. If a freeze is expected, consider allowing warm water to drip slightly overnight, preferably from a faucet on an outside wall. Even a slight trickle may keep your pipes from freezing. When there is the possibility of a freeze, don’t turn down the thermostat at bedtime. Instead, maintain the same setting day and night. Drops in temperature, which are more common overnight, could freeze your pipes. Open cabinet doors. This will allow heat to reach uninsulated pipes located under sinks. If you’re going on vacation or leaving your home for an extended period of time, consider maintaining minimal heat to prevent freezing. For more information on how to protect your home from freezing pipes and how to recover from frozen pipes, click here. For more local news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here.