After a fire has damaged your home, improper or delayed fire restoration will quickly make the problem worse. Water, ash, burnt housing materials, and fire extinguishing chemicals cause further damage even after the blaze is put out. This is why only fire restoration experts with specialized equipment should be handling the job. In Cincinnati, OH, and Louisville, KY, those experts are the staff at Hudepohl Resotration, a restoration and remodeling contractor with over three decades of experience.

Below is their guide to hiring a fire restoration company so that your problem is handled only by true professionals:

• Specialized Equipment: Fire restoration can’t be attempted with shop vacuums or other store-bought equipment. Never hire a contractor who uses gear you could buy yourself. Proper restoration includes repairing burn and water damage and removing soot, ash, and chemicals. This is a job requiring specialized safety equipment and extensive training in the unique hazards involved, so ask any potential contractor what kinds of equipment they use.
• Certifications: Never hire a contractor who isn’t Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Certified (IICRC). This organization helps ensure companies are trained and tested in the special equipment, processes, and safety measures required by fire restoration work.
• Residual Cleaning: Since chemicals and smoke can deeply penetrate walls that weren’t even burned, remodeling contractors need to know how to remove all residual hazards. Even a wet carpet can cause an outbreak of mold, so ask contractors about their mold removal work to get an idea of whether they’re well-rounded enough to be qualified.

If your house has been damaged by fire, you deserve the most knowledgeable, professional contractors to restore it. If you’re in Ohio or Kentucky, Hudepohl Restoration is the team to trust. Whether your house has been through fire, storm damage, or needs professional mold removal, they are dedicated to making homes look good as new. Call (502) 873-5744 for their Louisville office, and (513) 398-9691 for Cincinnati. You can also go online to find more information on their fire restoration services, and connect with them on Facebook.