WETT Inspection Certificate
There is no such thing as a WETT Inspection Certificate, nor can any appliance be WETT certified. What is issued is an inspection report based on applicable codes and standards by someone who is WETT certified. WETT Inspectors frequently gets requests for a “WETT Certificate,” a “WETT Certification,” a “WETT Approval” or they ask if it’s a “WETT Certified installation.” We often get requests for companies that are “WETT Certified.” These are common misconceptions – they do not exist.
What you need to do is contact a WETT trained professional to inspect your wood-burning appliance. WETT has adopted a process to help identify the level of inspection required. We call this SITE.
SITE Definition – System Inspections and Technical Evaluation
WETT recommends that their Recommended Check Lists be used as a minimum guideline. This is seen as a method of ensuring greater consistency for inspecting and reporting activities.
SITE Certified Basic Inspectors are trained to complete a Level 1 Basic Visual Inspection. This type of inspection is of the readily accessible parts of a wood burning system. Its purpose is to determine whether the system meets current standards and regulations such as those in the appliance or venting installation manual, the Ontario Building Code and CSA B365.
Home Inspector WETT Certified Inspections
The Real Estate industry now regualary requests a home inspection prior to the sale or purchase of a home or property. Typically, this inspector may inspect the electrical, plumbing, and structure etc., looking for deficiencies to be reported to the potential client. Today, many home inspectors have taken the WETT courses and become Certified Site Basic Inspectors.
WETT Certified Inspections – Level 1
These inspectors may complete a Level 1 inspection of the solid fuel heating system, listing problem areas to report to the real estate agent and the potenial buyer/seller in the home inspection report. Depending on his findings, this report may recommend that a WETT Comprehensive Inspector perform a more thorough inspection of the system components. This would involve a Level 2 or Level 3 inspection.
While performing a WETT Certified Inspection in Wasaga Beach recently I ended up leaving the property as the Realtor was adamant that I provide him with a WETT Certificate. I explained to him countless number of times that I was WETT Certified and what I did was to provide a WETT Certified Inspection Report. He was unable to comprehend or was just ignoring my explanation.
The Home Owner had a copy of a WETT Certificate issued by Napoleon Fireplaces which had Certificate Written across page like a Watermark. Other than brief description of fireplace and mention of 
Ontario Building Code and WETT number, there was very little information on ” WETT Certificate”. This is a picture of masonry fireplace, which had a minimum of 7 rows of brick damaged by moisture under chimney cap. No mention of brick damage was made on fireplace inspected in basement. ( I never inspected or looked at unit in basement )
The fireplace itself could not be fully inspected as the glass doors would no open due to faulty installation. The one door that opened the most actually moved entire door frame away from fireplace opening when operated.
The Realtor wanted a Pass or Fail report to provide to the buyers. Selling the home was his obvious priority, with no concern for deficiencies. After explaining that that was not possible multiple times and showing both the Realtor and Home Owner the https://wettinc.ca website description from my phone I finally called it a day. I took my receipt and WETT Inspection report and left.
The WETT website Complaint Area actually spells out very clearly that there is no such item as a WETT Certificate.
“What to do if the WETT-certified professional did not certify my wood-burning appliance?
Please note that WETT does not certify appliances – we certify people. This is a common misconception. During the course of work, an inspector or installer will issue paperwork indicating that an installation is code compliant. An installation is either compliant with the relevant building and installation codes or it is not. If not, the inspector, installer or sweep will identify why.”
WETT Certified Inspections and Building Permit
Many municipalities now require home owners to obtain a WETT Certified Inspection of a new building which has a wood stove or fireplace built in. Most municipalities have sent their Building Inspectors on WETT Certified Courses to allow them to properly inspect any wood burning appliances installed. The tax payers have paid to have the municipal inspectors to become WETT Certified but for some reason will not issue their clients a WETT Certified Inspection even though they inspect every fireplace built in the municipality.