A WETT inspection provides an evaluation of your wood-burning appliance and its installation for safety and compliance. Wood stoves, fireplaces and pellet stoves should be properly installed with appropriate clearances, floor protection, venting and chimney components. A WETT inspection can also provide documentation that may be requested when purchasing or insuring a home with a wood-burning appliance.

A WETT Certified Inspection is typically required when changing Insurance Companies or when purchasing a new home with wood stove, fireplace or pellet stove.  Every insurance company makes its own rules that they follow.

Following the inspection, you will receive a written report documenting the wood-burning system and the conditions observed at the time of the inspection. The report includes information about the appliance, chimney and venting system, along with any visible deficiencies or concerns identified during the inspection.

The report can provide important information for home buyers, homeowners and insurance companies when evaluating a wood-burning appliance and its installation.

Where concerns are identified, the report will describe the observed condition so that appropriate repairs, further evaluation or corrective work can be considered.

WETT inspections can be performed on a variety of wood-burning appliances and systems. These include freestanding wood stoves, factory-built fireplaces, masonry fireplaces, fireplace inserts and pellet-burning appliances.

Each type of appliance has specific installation requirements involving clearances, floor protection, venting and chimney components. Manufacturer installation instructions and appliance certification information can also be important when evaluating an installation.

Older appliances and installations may require additional attention because components may have been altered, replaced or installed under requirements that differ from those used for newer systems.

Proper floor and hearth protection is an important part of a safe wood-burning appliance installation. The required protection helps reduce the risk of heat, sparks or burning embers damaging combustible flooring around the appliance.

The type and extent of protection required can depend on the appliance, its certification and the manufacturer's installation instructions. During a WETT inspection, the hearth or floor protection is examined along with its condition and relationship to the appliance.

For more detailed information, we'll link this section to your existing WETT Certified Inspection – Floor Protection page once we've modernized that supporting page.

Learn more about wood stove installation requirements on our Wood Stove Floor Protection page.

The chimney and flue pipe are critical components of a wood-burning system. They must safely carry combustion gases from the appliance to the exterior while maintaining appropriate clearances from combustible materials.

During a WETT inspection, accessible chimney and flue-pipe components are examined for their general condition, installation, connections, clearances and visible signs of deterioration or improper installation.

We'll eventually add a link here to your dedicated Flue Pipes page after we modernize that page and verify its technical information.

Learn more about connector pipe installation, clearances and common defects on our Wood Stove Flue Pipes page.

Wood-burning systems can develop or contain defects that may affect their safe operation. Common concerns found during inspections include inadequate clearances to combustible materials, improper flue-pipe installations, damaged chimney components, inadequate hearth protection and deterioration caused by heat, moisture or age.

Other concerns may include unsuitable modifications, missing or damaged components, improper connections and installations that do not correspond with the appliance manufacturer's requirements.

A WETT inspection is commonly requested when buying a home with a wood-burning appliance or when an insurance company requires information about the installation. Having the system inspected can help identify visible concerns before purchasing the property and provide documentation about the appliance, chimney and installation.

Insurance requirements can vary between companies, so homeowners should confirm directly with their insurer what documentation or level of inspection is required.

For home buyers, arranging the WETT inspection along with the home inspection can also provide a more complete understanding of the property before making important decisions.

Looking for more information about wood-burning appliances and WETT inspections? Visit our WETT Inspection Information page for additional information about appliances, chimneys, clearances, floor protection and common inspection concerns.