Picking the right specialist for the right problem is just as important for your house as for your health.

If your house suffers damage from a flood or fire, water damage from wind and storm events, or a burst pipe that ruins a finished basement, you'll want to call someone who has specific training in how to properly clean up a house, possessions, and furnishings. You will need a certified restorer.

Certified restorers specialize in repairing homes after water damage, sewage backflows, and fire damage, providing specialized services to assure removal of of mold and odors as well as repairing damage. Because of their continuously upgraded level of training, certified restorers are able to handle varied losses to a wide variety of materials, according to the National Institute of Disaster Restoration, a member group of the Association of Specialists in Cleaning and Restoring (ASCR).

Who you gonna' call?

The National Institute of Disaster Restoration (NIDR), a division of ASCR International, is an authority and resource on the restoration of residential and commercial property as the result of damage from fire, smoke and other disasters. Members adhere to code of ethics and stay abreast of the latest technology in the industry, providing expertise for the restoration of valuable contents and structures, in addition to professional cleaning of carpet, rugs, upholstery and window coverings.

The ASCR and The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) both issue certifications to home restorers. Candidates must have a minimum of three years experience with damage-restoration work. They also must be of "good character" and have a good credit history. Good character is determined through a criminal background check, references, and comments sent by other restorers.

Perhaps the most important step in the certification is promising to adhere to a code of ethics. While the codes of the ASCR and the IICRC differ a bit, the intent is the same: Act to make the best repairs possible at a fair price.

To keep the certification active, a restorer must take further classes to keep current with new trends and technologies.

Certified restorers and insurance companies

While insurance companies usually don't have formal relationships with certified restorers — in some states they are prohibited from having any relationship, claims adjusters often have a good idea of who they are and what they do. But rather than relying on your insurance claims adjuster, be your own advocate in requesting a certified restorer if your home suffers significant damage.

Something else to keep in mind is that certified restorers are impartial in insurance claims. They aren't an advocate for the insurance company or the property owner. Instead, they provide an independent opinion on the work that needs to be done.

You can find a certified restorer in your area by contacting the IICRC or the ASCR. Both the IICRC's Web site and ASCR's Web site have online referral systems to help you locate certified restorers near you.