WETT Inspection Info
W.E.T.T. stands for Wood Energy Technology Transfer. A W.E.T.T. Inspection includes a comprehensive inspection of all wood-burning appliances, including stoves and open fireplaces by a certified W.E.T.T. inspector.
These technologies can pose a significant threat to the well-being and health of those living in the home. Having a W.E.T.T. Inspection performed will give you the peace of mind you require when buying or selling a home, as well as those living in the home, this is also a requirement of most insurance companies.
Wood Energy Technology Transfer (W.E.T.T.) Certification is required for all home appliances that are wood burning such as fireplaces and fireplace inserts, or a wood-burning stove. Fire is a danger to a properties safety and as such there are regulations that these appliances must meet in order to be certified for use. Issuing a W.E.T.T. Certification can only be done by a “W.E.T.T. Certified Inspector” and requires a physical inspection of the appliance. Kingdom Home Inspection Services is fully W.E.T.T. Certified and regularly performs W.E.T.T. Inspections in Calgary, Fort McMurray, Edmonton and surrounding areas. If you have a wood-burning fireplace or appliance and are not sure if it is W.E.T.T. Certified, or maybe you have concerns about its operation, give us a call and we can schedule an appointment that works for you.
Why Do I Need a W.E.T.T. Inspection
An inspection of the wood burning technologies in your home is very important for a number of reasons, not the least of which is the safety of you and your family. With wood burning appliances, the potential for harmful pollutants to be released into your home as well as combustible materials to ignite is increased, therefore it is important that these appliances are regularly inspected and properly maintained. If your home already includes one of these features, or you would like to purchase one and have it installed in your home, having a W.E.T.T. Certified Inspector or Technician involved is a necessity.
W.E.T.T. certified inspections are also now being required as a part of the home-insuring process. In fact, most homeowners first hear about W.E.T.T. specialty inspections because an insurance company asks that their appliances be inspected by a W.E.T.T. Certified Inspector. In Canada, insurance companies require homes using wood burning appliances to be thoroughly inspected by a professional and approved before the home can be insured.
If purchasing an older home that includes any of these wood-burning appliances, a W.E.T.T. Inspection is an absolute necessity. Cottages often include wood-burning appliances, and often the installation of these features is not in compliance with W.E.T.T. standards. An inspection will tell you whether these appliances are operating optimally, are in good structural condition, and that they are burning in a way that does not compromise your health and safety.
What is Included in a W.E.T.T. Inspection
A W.E.T.T. Inspection is an inspection that must be conducted by an inspector who is W.E.T.T. Certified. Our InterNACHI Certified Master Inspectors must take a separate course to become W.E.T.T. certified. This course typically consists of four days of training as well as eighty weeks of field experience before they receive Certification. Kingdom Home Inspection Services advises that you use a licensed and experienced W.E.T.T. inspector because only they will have the knowledge necessary for examining these systems correctly.
While a typical Home Inspection includes a visual inspection of the fireplace, chimney and hearth, a W.E.T.T. Inspection conducted by a certified W.E.T.T. inspector includes an inspection of all the elements of any wood burning technologies in the home to ensure that they are installed correctly and are compliant to building codes and regulations. It will also include a visit to the roof to examine the chimney for any potential structural or ventilation issues.
The Inspection might include an examination of a wood stove, flue pipe, chimney, and wood-burning fireplace. An Inspector will look at the positioning of the system, and its distance in relation to any combustible materials. If there is a problem with the function of the technology in your home, it is important that the technician you employ is also a licensed W.E.T.T. technician.
W.E.T.T. Inspections are much more than just something to give you peace of mind, if wood-burning appliances are a part of your home’s features, it is of paramount importance that these appliances are both installed properly and inspected for your safety by a Certified W.E.T.T. Inspector.
