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Yes, frozen pipes can prevent a toilet from working correctly. If the pipes are frozen, water cannot flow, which means your toilet tank won't be able to refill after a flush. This will prevent the toilet from flushing again. Depending on which lines are frozen, the ice can also block the drain pipe, preventing water from flushing away.

As a temporary workaround, you can manually add water to the tank for each flush. To clear a frozen drain pipe, you can try filling the toilet bowl or tank with warm water and flushing to help thaw the ice. However, the best long-term solution is to unfreeze the pipes to get your toilet back in working order.

No. You should dispose of all oil-based finishing products through a local hazardous waste program. Not only can oil-based finishes be hazardous for the environment if disposed of in the sink, but they can cause clogs in your pipes and stop up your drains. Most municipal garbage or waste disposal companies have a specific location or pick-up schedule for hazardous materials, so that’s your best bet to get rid of excess finishing products.

If you're dealing with a clogged sink drain, you may be able to avoid removing the drain by using a plunger to dislodge the clog. While we associate plungers with toilets, they can do the same job with your sink drain. Be gentle, though, as forceful movements can push clogs further into your plumbing system and make them more difficult to remove. Additionally, make sure you’re using a sink plunger—with a flat bottom—and not a toilet plunger—which has a smaller bottom protruding from the larger flat piece.

It is generally not recommended to pour hot or boiling water down a drain to unfreeze pipes due to significant risks. In some cases, the sudden temperature change can cause more ice buildup or produce steam, which increases pressure and could cause the pipe to burst, leading to costly damage and potential burn injuries. While hot water might help with a partially frozen drainpipe, it is unlikely to thaw a completely blocked water pipe further down the system. Additionally, boiling water can damage plastic pipes over time. Safer and more effective methods include using a space heater near the frozen section or applying hot towels directly to the pipe.