Why do I need a WETT inspection?

Chimney fires are common enough that insurance companies are now requiring wood stoves and fireplaces to be inspected regularly by WETT Certified Inspectors who follow common industry guidelines.

You may have been told by your realtor that you need to provide a WETT inspection as part of marketing your property for sale. Or perhaps you live in a strata building and have a wood-burning appliance in your unit— and must provide an annual WETT inspection report under your strata bylaws. The good news is that Aero Services can provide you with a WETT inspection— and a quote on any necessary repairs required to pass.

Can Aero perform the WETT inspection?

Anyone who performs a WETT inspection must achieve certification and training from Wood Energy Technology Transfer, Inc. (WETT, Inc.) WETT, Inc. is a non-profit training and education association. Through professional training and public education, WETT Inc. promotes the safe and effective use of wood burning systems in Canada. Your Aero Services technician is fully trained and certified to provide WETT inspection reports for any insurance or disclosure requirements.

WETT inspection report for insurance

To qualify for an insurance policy, you may be required to provide a WETT inspection report. An Aero Services WETT inspection report points out areas of deterioration or faulty design, where inadequate space may be an issue on the back, sides, top, or corner of a wood burning fireplace or stove. This applies also to the stovepipe or chimney flue. The WETT inspection also identifies any installation methods or improper choices of chimney equipment that may be a safety or fire risk.

An Aero Services WETT inspection includes a full report with pictures, checklists and comments, and a letter for your insurance company. We also fill out any related forms that your insurance company may require.

If your stove, fireplace, chimney, or stove pipe does not pass the WETT inspection, you can arrange with Aero Services for a fair quote on providing any necessary repairs— and a successful inspection report afterwards.

The WETT Standardized Inspection Form

Your Aero WETT inspection will provide a completed WETT Standardized Inspection Form. This is a useful document that collects all the information about your wood burning system into a few pages. It outlines the important information, including manufacturer serial and model numbers, if applicable. The form also supplies the appliance manufacturer’s suggested clearances to combustibles (distance between what is burning and the enclosure).

The WETT Standardized Inspection Form notes the certifying agencies for your wood burning appliance, such as Warnock Hersey, Underwriters Laboratories, OTL, ETL— and the standards at time of manufacture. The current acceptable standard is ULC-S627 for wood stoves, and ULC-S628 for wood-burning fireplace inserts.

EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) approval is also covered in the WETT Standardized Inspection. Wood-burning appliances manufactured after 1991 are typically EPA certified. Any particular stovepipe and chimney information, as well as your “hearth ember pad size,” material, and other heat protection clearances are recorded, and any deficiencies are clearly noted. If there are deficiencies, Aero Services will provide a fair quote on any necessary repairs, plus a successful WETT inspection report afterwards.

How do I prepare for a WETT inspection?

Your Aero WETT inspection is a full-service experience. You don’t need to do anything beforehand, but if you’d like to prepare your appliance or fireplace for success, you can perform these tasks ahead of time. Your Aero technician can also arrange for a fair quote on any of these cleaning, repair, or maintenance tasks.

Fireplace

Check the operation of the damper. Sometimes dampers are “frozen” or broken, which can lead to unsafe or poor operating conditions.
Clean the unit so a proper inspection can be performed.
For chimneys, replace any deteriorated masonry, and caulk flashings as needed.
Ensure rain caps are present to prevent water leakage inside chimneys and their liners.

Wood stove or insert

Replace any cracked fire bricks.
Ensure flue pipes are properly secured. Ensure the pipe fittings are oriented correctly, and the pipe slopes correctly.
Ensure damper operates, and that door gasket and glass have not cracked or deteriorated.
Ensure any heat shielding is secured and in good condition.
Extra wood and other combustible kept four feet away from stove or insert

Any of the maintenance and repair tasks listed above can be arranged by the Aero WETT inspection technician.