WETT Inspection Defect Pictures

 Wett Inspection Defect Pictures from Actual Fireplace, Wood Stove and Pellet Stove Inspections.  Many Home Owners are totally unaware that their wood burning appliance has issues.  Problems can vary from a chimney that has an unsafe amount of Creosote Buildup to Cracked or improperly installed Clay Flue Tiles.  Every chimney should be inspected annually, whether by the home owner of a WETT Certified Inspector.  

 

View Inspection Defects from Actual WETT Inspections in Barrie and Local Area

These are the typical types of WETT Inspection Defects that we commonly find during inspections.  Problems can occur in chimneys, flue pipes, combustible clearances, non-operating dampers, Incorrect hearth size and gaps between brick and fire box.

 

 

WETT Inspection Information

A lot of insurance companies now require that a wood burning appliance be inspected by a WETT Certified Inspector.  WETT stands for Wood Energy Technology Transfer Inc. which is a non-profit training program for inspectors.  Most insurance companies will only require a Level One – Site Basic inspection to obtain house insurance.

An initial basic inspection includes the visual examination of smoke chambers, fireboxes, dampers, chimneys, chimney liners, hearths and clearances, including distances from combustibles for wood stove and flue stove vent pipes. The components covered by each inspection differ depending on the wood-burning appliance, thus there are separate inspections for fireplaces, wood stoves and pellet stoves. If concerns are identified, a more comprehensive inspection may be required.

The 3 LEVELS of WETT Certification are:

LEVEL ONE INSPECTION – “Readily Accessible” The Site Basic inspection is essentially a visual overview of the accessible parts, clearances, chimney heights, stove location with respect to combustible materials and construction to determine if the system meets the CSA Standard B365 (Installation Code for Solid-Fuel-Burning Appliances and Equipment) and the Ontario Building Code (Part 9).  Locate Site Basic WETT Inspector for Barrie ON

LEVEL TWO INSPECTION – “Accessible”  This level of inspection may include the removal of doors or panels to conduct the inspection.  The use of ladders and related service tools maybe required.  There would be no invasive action to the actual building.

LEVEL THREE INSPECTION – “Concealed Accessibility” This inspection level can involve removal of parts of building or system but does not included any structural items.  Specialty tools and equipment maybe required.

 To become WETT Certified an individual must complete a number of courses and have 80 weeks of industry experience.  WETT Certification courses are typically held in most major cities and their website has an up to date training schedule posted. 

It is highly recommended that the home owner have their chimney cleaned prior to a WETT Certified inspection as creosote build up can hide cracks or damage to chimney flue tiles.  Creosote is highly combustible product and when built up inside your chimney lining can ignite if “hot oxygen” comes in contact with it while using stove or fireplace, causing a “chimney fire”. 

The best way to control creosote is to prevent its buildup by maintaining a briskly burning fire with dry, well-seasoned wood. Maintain a flue temperature exceeding 250 degrees Fahrenheit to prevent creosote condensation.

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