WHAT IS A
WETT INSPECTION?
If your insurer, your home inspector or a buyer has asked for “a WETT report”, this page explains what that actually means, what gets checked, and how it differs from a routine chimney sweep.
WETT, IN PLAIN LANGUAGE
WETT stands for Wood Energy Technology Transfer — the Canadian training and certification program for people who work on wood-burning appliances and their chimneys. A technician who holds current WETT certification has been trained and tested against the Canadian codes and standards that govern how those appliances must be installed.
A WETT inspection is that certified technician assessing a specific wood-burning appliance and its venting system against those requirements, and writing down what they found. The deliverable is a written report — that report is the thing insurers and home buyers are actually asking for when they say “we need a WETT.”
Two things worth being clear about. First, a WETT inspection is a report on an installation; it is not a repair, and it is not a cleaning. Second, it is not a government permit — it is a professional assessment that the people who need assurance about your appliance have agreed to accept.
WHY YOU MIGHT
NEED ONE
A home with a wood stove or fireplace will often stall at the inspection stage until there is documentation on the appliance. A WETT report is what buyers, lenders and home inspectors typically ask for — and getting it before listing avoids a last-minute condition.
Many insurers will not bind or renew a policy on a home with a wood-burning appliance without a current inspection report on file. If your renewal letter or new-policy paperwork mentions a wood stove, this is usually what they want.
You moved into a house with an appliance nobody can tell you anything about, or you have just had one installed. Either way an inspection tells you whether clearances, the liner and the venting are actually right before you light it.
WHAT THE INSPECTION COVERS
An inspection works through the appliance and its whole venting path, not just the visible parts of the fireplace. Typically that means:
- The appliance itself — make, model, certification labelling, and its physical condition.
- Clearances to combustibles — the distances from the appliance and connector pipe to walls, framing, mantels and trim.
- Floor protection — the hearth pad, its size and its construction.
- The connector pipe — material, sizing, slope, joints and how it enters the chimney.
- The chimney and liner — type, size relative to the appliance, condition and continuity.
- The structure — masonry condition, crown, cap, flashing, and height above the roofline.
What you get at the end
A written report identifying what was inspected, listing any deficiencies found, and stating whether the installation meets the applicable requirements. That is the document you forward to your insurer, your realtor or the buyer. If deficiencies are found, the report tells you specifically what they are — which is what makes them fixable.
What it costs
Our chimney services start at $240 plus applicable taxes. That is our general starting price across the service line, not a fixed WETT-inspection fee — what your inspection costs depends on the appliance, the chimney, and whether the flue needs a sweep before it can be properly inspected. We quote it when you book, so there is no surprise at the door. Request a quote for your address or call (825) 343-0138.
WETT INSPECTION
VS. CHIMNEY SWEEP
People often book one expecting the other. They are different jobs with different outputs — though they are frequently done on the same visit.
| Chimney Sweep | WETT Inspection | |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Cleaning — remove creosote and blockages from the flue. | Documentation — assess the installation against the standard. |
| What you get | A clean flue and a service report on its condition. | A written inspection report on the installation and its deficiencies. |
| When it is done | Annually, as routine heating-season maintenance. | On a home sale, an insurance request, or a newly installed appliance. |
| Who asks for it | You do — it is maintenance you schedule. | Your insurer, a buyer, a lender or a home inspector. |
| Fixes problems? | Removes buildup and blockages, yes. Structural repair, no. | No — it identifies them. Repairs are separate work. |
Because a flue has to be reasonably clean to be inspected properly, a sweep and an inspection are often booked together. Tell us which one you were asked for when you book and we will sort out what is actually needed.
WETT INSPECTIONS,
ANSWERED
What is a WETT inspection?
WETT stands for Wood Energy Technology Transfer. A WETT inspection is an assessment of a wood-burning appliance and its venting system, carried out by a WETT-certified technician against the Canadian codes and standards that apply to that installation. The result is a written report describing what was inspected and whether the installation meets those requirements.
Why do I need a WETT inspection?
The three usual reasons are a home sale, where a buyer, lender or home inspector asks for documentation on the wood-burning appliance; insurance, where an insurer will not bind or renew a policy on a home with a wood stove or fireplace without a current report; and safety, where you simply want to know whether the appliance you inherited with the house is safe to use.
How is a WETT inspection different from a chimney sweep?
A sweep is cleaning: creosote and blockages are removed from the flue. A WETT inspection is documentation: the installation is assessed against the standard and a written report is produced. A sweep is annual maintenance; a WETT inspection is usually triggered by a home sale, an insurance requirement, or a newly installed appliance. They are often done on the same visit because a flue has to be reasonably clean to be inspected properly.
What does a WETT inspection report include?
The report identifies the appliance and venting system, records clearances to combustibles, the hearth pad and floor protection, the chimney and liner, the connector pipe, and the condition of the masonry or factory-built components. It lists any deficiencies found and states whether the installation meets the applicable requirements.
How much does a WETT inspection cost?
Our chimney services start at $240 plus applicable taxes. What an inspection costs on your home depends on the appliance, the chimney and whether a sweep is needed to inspect it properly, so we quote it when you book rather than posting a single number.
GET THE REPORT
YOUR INSURER WANTS
WETT-certified inspection and a written report, across Edmonton, Camrose, Wetaskiwin and surrounding areas. Tell us your deadline when you book — we will work to it.