If you have wood burning features in your home this will interest you.
Reprinted from Lake Stewart's Magazine published by Federation of Ontario Cottagers' Associations (FOCA) with notes from Ian Myers (WETT Communications Committee & President of Myers Chimney), and Cade Associates Insurance Brokers
Creosote is a type of black or brown sooty residue that can build up in the inside of your chimney over time, as a byproduct of burning wood or fossil fuels. Creosote is toxic and exposure can lead to negative health impacts including irritated skin or eyes, but also respiratory issues or even cancer, according to studies of long-term exposure. Creosote is also a fire hazard – one of the leading causes of chimney fires internationally – because it is flammable and ignites at a high heat intensity that can weaken masonry or damage the flue lining of your wood burning system.
A Wood Energy Technology Transfer (WETT) Inspection® is an inspection of a solid-fuel-burning system, performed by a WETT-certified professional to determine compliance with applicable codes and standards, as defined by the SITE® (Table) guidelines. It includes an inspection of the condition of the system whether that be a fireplace, fireplace insert, woodstove, pellet stove, or outside boiler.
WETT professionals try to not use terms like ‘safe’ or ‘unsafe’, but the writers of Codes and Standards do not have that problem – in fact, all Code requirements are considered the minimums to keep your home or cottage safe. A WETT inspection includes an evaluation of the condition of the system including chimney deposits, but does not replace the need for
chimney sweeping.
When to ‘WETT’:
The best advice that any real estate agent can give a potential cottage seller regarding their wood-burning appliances and chimney systems is to get a WETT Inspection® before the property is listed. Conversely, if you’re buying a property with any wood burning system, insist upon a recent WETT Certified Inspection before agreeing to purchase; within 30
days is reasonable, noting that a WETT Inspection® is always a record of current conditions only. The inspection may be a basic visual inspection, or it may be a technical inspection that could include taking apart flue pipes, opening clean-outs, entering the attic to view additional system components, and/or assessing the chimney from the roof.
Buying or selling a property is stressful enough without having to make expensive upgrades at the last minute to complete a sale due to a less-than-thorough inspection performed by someone not WETT-certified®, only to discover the buyer’s insurance company insists on this condition before issuing a Home Policy.
Plus, you will have the peace of mind of knowing you’ve taken the appropriate steps to protect your family’s health and safety.
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