'Tis the season for do-it-yourself projects-while these projects come with a sense of accomplishment along with a bit of cash in your pocket, there are a few tips to keep in mind. Of course, each home project has its own set of rules and how-to guides, but there are some things to remember, especially when it comes to the drains in your home.

After finishing up the latest painting project, such as the guest bedroom or the front door, don't give in to the temptation of pouring that remaining paint down the drain. It is highly flammable and adds fumes to your plumbing system, which can then be circulated throughout your home. Not only is there a chance the paint will ignite, it will coat the insides of your pipes, shrinking them and causing clogged drains as well as a number of other plumbing problems.

Even the drains outside of your home are not an option for proper paint disposal-stay away from the city or storm drains. Paint could easily leak into the water supply or contaminate the ground. For safe paint disposal, check with your local city municipality or a hardware and plumbing supply store. Some of these places may even recycle paint.

As for proper cleaning after a paint job, follow the directions on the side of the paint can. For water-based or latex paints, it's safe to scrape excess paint into newspapers. Let the paint on the newspapers dry before throwing them in the trash. Wash your brushes and other paint supplies with warm soapy water. As long as there is enough running water to dilute the paint, it can be washed down the drain safely. This technique will keep you from drain cleaning headaches in the future.

For oil-based or alkyd paints, it's a different story. They aren't water-soluble, so you will need paint thinner to clean your brushes and other supplies. The same goes for marine or auto-body paint; it may contain lead, so be sure to check the labels and follow their disposal directions carefully.

Of course, if you have fresh paint you are trying to get rid of, see if it has another home before disposing of it. Maybe your neighbors or a local business is completing their own do-it-yourself project this summer.

Believe it or not, there are worse things you could pour down your drain than a gallon of paint. After an afternoon of working in the garage, never pour used motor oil down a drain. In some cities, this is illegal because of the amount of environmental damage it does and how easily it can contaminate an area's soil and water table.

When it comes to used motor oil, stay far away from drains in your home, garage, a sewer or a storm drain. Never pour motor oil directly on the ground or in the street. To dispose of motor oil properly, check your local auto parts store-they may even recycle it for you.

Summer projects do not have to mean big headaches! Figuring out how to properly dispose of chemicals, oil and paint is simple and, in the long run, cost effective. Pouring massive quantities of paint in your sink will lead to a clogged drain and a big drain cleaning bill. It can also mean serious environmental damage for your neighborhood and surrounding community.