Are you purchasing a cottage with an old fireplace? Do you want to install a wood-burning oven in your house? If so, you’ll need to take some steps first! For a home to have any wood-burning appliances, it must first undergo a WETT inspection by a certified professional. This is so you can ensure your home while also making sure it is safe to use. In Canada, insurers require wood-burning appliances to be inspected by a professional and cleared before insurance approval. Read on to learn everything there is to know about being WETT certified!
What is a Wood Energy Technology Transfer (WETT) Inspection?
A Wood Energy Technology Transfer (WETT) inspection is a check-up of any wood-burning appliance located inside a home. This can include a stove, an open fireplace or an outside boiler. This is because fires are a constant threat to any home. When these older wood-burning appliances are used, the risk of fires and the release of harmful pollutants into your home increases. By conducting a WETT inspection, you can rest easy knowing your wood-burning appliance isn’t a threat to your family or your safety.
What are the Objectives of WETT?
The objective of WETT is to promote the safe and effective use of wood-burning systems within Canada. To do this, WETT conducts the Wood Energy Technical Training Program. This provides training for those who install and maintain wood-energy products and systems, as well as for those who conduct inspections of wood-burning systems. This training consists of several courses that cover the various types of work performed by wood-energy professionals! Upon completing the training, they will receive a certificate certifying them to inspect any wood-burning systems.
How Much Does an Inspection Cost?
The cost of your WETT inspection depends on several factors. It usually will depend on what exactly you are getting inspected and how old the appliance is. WETT’s authority doesn’t necessarily include regulating how much professionals charge for their services. Actually speaking, you’d want to call ahead when arranging an inspection to find out how much you’ll be spending.
Do I Need a WETT Inspection?
If you have a wood-burning appliance in your house or cottage, then yes. Throughout Canada, WETT Specialty Inspections are now being required as a part of the home insurance process. Generally speaking, a homeowner will first learn about WETT when their insurance provider inquires about the wood-burning appliance in their home or cottage. Your appliance must be thoroughly inspected by a professional and approved so that you can purchase insurance for your home or cottage. Most older dwellings have wood-burning appliances that are not yet WETT-certified, so they must be certified to be covered.
What Does a WETT Inspection Entail?
That depends. There are actually three types of WETT inspections, each tailored to the situation at hand. The three levels are:
Level 1: Visual Inspection
A visual inspection is generally required during a real estate purchase. Your insurer usually requests this as part of a Fire Code requirement. A visual inspection is usually a basic assessment of the appliance and the visible venting system parts. This will include measurements of clearances and making sure doors work. It may also comprise a visual inspection of the chimney from top to bottom. Once complete, you may see some red flags that will require a higher-level inspection. If you just bought a new home or cottage and have changed some appliances, you should have this inspection done.
Level 2: Technical Inspection
Generally, these will occur as follow-up inspections when your insurance company sees that you failed the Visual WETT inspection. This will usually include all parts of the visual inspection, with some hands-on aspects added. Some examples include taking apart the appliance, inspecting the roof chimney, and cleaning it. At the end of this inspection, your WETT inspector will write a report stating what is found and whether the issue can be fixed.
Level 3: Invasive Inspection
The third level of the inspection usually occurs when an incident involving your wood-burning appliance occurs. An example of this can be a chimney fire. Though this inspection doesn’t include any repairs to the appliance, it shows what needs repair and the steps to take to do so. Hence the name, this level requires a more thorough inspection of your appliance and surrounding areas. Inspectors may have to open drywall or hire other construction workers to assist. Once the issue is resolved, another technical assessment will be made.
What Happens if I Don’t Get WETT Certified?
Being WETT certified is crucial to ensuring the safe use of wood-burning appliances. If you are to use a wood-burning appliance that does not have an inspection, you risk putting yourself and your family in harm’s way. Wood-burning appliances can be dangerous if not installed or maintained correctly, emitting harmful fumes and smoke and posing a fire risk. But what happens if you fail an inspection? When you receive your paperwork at the end of a WETT inspection, it will indicate whether it complies with the relevant installation codes. If you fail, your inspector will give you a thorough breakdown as to why. They will also let you know about the next steps. This can range from contacting the original retailer of the appliance to discussing the repairs needed.
Conclusion
At the end of the day, a WETT inspection is a lot more than just peace of mind. Though it’s a bonus to feel safe and sound in your home, these inspections are absolutely mandatory. If you are purchasing a new cottage or a house that has a wood-burning appliance, make sure a WETT inspection is the first step you take. With that being said, why not take a look at your insurance policy while you’re at it? Well, we offer the best rates on home and cottage insurance. Get a quote today!
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