If you own a home in Ottawa with a fireplace, wood stove, pellet stove, or any other solid fuel burning appliance, there's a good chance you'll eventually be asked for a WETT inspection. Insurance companies request them when renewing or underwriting policies on homes with wood-burning systems. Real estate lawyers and mortgage lenders increasingly require them as a condition of home purchase. Here's what the inspection actually involves and what to expect.
What WETT Stands For
WETT stands for Wood Energy Technology Transfer, a Canadian nonprofit organization that administers the national standard for training and certification of technicians who work with wood-burning appliances. A "WETT inspection" refers to an inspection conducted by a WETT certified technician against the standards established by CSA B365 (Installation Code for Solid-Fuel-Burning Appliances and Equipment).
WETT certification is the recognized credential in Canada for this type of inspection. When your insurer asks for a "WETT report, " they're asking for a written inspection report produced by a WETT certified technician.
What a WETT Inspection Covers
A basic WETT inspection (Level 1) is a visual inspection of accessible components. It typically covers:
The Chimney
- Exterior masonry condition, brickwork, mortar joints, cap, crown
- Flashing at the roof penetration
- Chimney height above the roof line (clearance requirements per NBCC)
- Evidence of moisture damage or deterioration
The Flue
- Liner condition (where accessible, a basic inspection does not include camera inspection of the liner)
- Liner clearances to combustibles
- Termination at the cap
The Firebox and Appliance
- Firebox walls, floor, and throat condition
- Damper operation
- Appliance installation clearances to combustibles
- Hearth extension dimensions and construction
- Connections to the chimney or flue collar
Compliance Review
The inspection reviews the system against CSA B365 and applicable building code. Non-compliances are documented in the written report with the specific standard reference.
A WETT inspection is not a chimney cleaning. It's a condition and compliance assessment. If the inspector recommends cleaning, that's a separate service. Our team can advise on chimney cleaning scheduling but does not perform cleaning, we are masonry contractors and WETT inspectors, not chimney sweeps.
Levels of WETT Inspection
WETT inspections are categorized into levels:
- Level 1 (Basic): Visual inspection of accessible components. Sufficient for insurance requirements and most real estate transactions where the system has been in regular use and no changes have been made.
- Level 2 (Advanced): Includes all of Level 1 plus inspection of concealed spaces, video camera inspection of the flue liner, and additional documentation. Required when a property is being sold, when the appliance or system has been modified, or when a Level 1 inspection identifies potential deficiencies.
- Level 3 (Hazard): Includes all of Level 2 plus destructive inspection (opening walls, etc.) when Level 2 identifies a suspected hazard not fully visible.
Most insurance and real estate requests in Ottawa are satisfied by a Level 1 inspection.
When Do You Need a WETT Inspection in Ottawa?
- Your insurer requires documentation as a condition of coverage or renewal
- You're buying a home with an existing wood-burning appliance (increasingly required by lenders)
- You're selling a home with a fireplace or wood stove (proactively avoids delays at closing)
- You've installed a new wood-burning appliance or made changes to an existing system
- You've recently purchased a home and want to know the condition before using the system
- The system hasn't been inspected in 5+ years
Who Can Perform a WETT Inspection?
Only a WETT certified technician can produce a report that satisfies insurer and lender requirements. You can verify a technician's certification through the WETT Inc. website. Our inspector is WETT certified and produces written reports in the standard format accepted by major Canadian insurers and financial institutions.
WETT Inspection and Chimney Repair, A Useful Combination
Because Canadian Masonry Services is both WETT certified and a masonry contractor, an inspection that identifies deficiencies, deteriorated crown, spalling bricks, failed flashing, can be followed immediately with a concrete repair plan and cost estimate. You don't need to coordinate between an inspector and a separate contractor. We can identify the problems and fix them.
Book a WETT Inspection in Ottawa
We schedule quickly, produce written reports suitable for insurance and real estate, and can address any masonry issues found during the inspection.