Chimney inspections
What a Level 1, 2, or 3 inspection actually examines, and when each one is warranted after a chimney fire, a sale, or an appliance change.
Read inspection notesWood-heat reference · Canada
A calmer way to keep a wood fire safe.
Straightforward reference notes on the parts of wood heating that matter most in a Canadian winter: how chimneys are inspected, why creosote forms, what WETT certification covers, how much clearance a hearth needs, and how to season firewood so it burns clean.
3 stages
of chimney inspection under CSA B365 / NFPA 211
< 20%
target moisture for seasoned firewood
WETT
the recognized Canadian wood-energy credential
What this site covers
Five maintenance topics, treated one at a time.
Each topic is kept separate so you can read only the part you need. The notes lean on Canadian practice — CSA installation codes, provincial fire regulations, and the WETT training framework — rather than generic advice.
Creosote removal
The three degrees of creosote, why glazed deposits are the dangerous kind, and the difference between brushing and a chemical or rotary approach.
Read creosote notesFirewood seasoning
How long common Canadian species take to dry, how to read a moisture meter, and how to stack a cord so air does the work.
Read firewood notesWETT certification
Wood Energy Technology Transfer is the training program behind most Canadian wood-heat inspections. What a WETT inspection report covers and why insurers ask for it.
See the WETT sectionHearth clearances
Clearance to combustibles and floor-protection rules come from the appliance label and CSA B365. Where the numbers come from and why you should not guess.
See the clearance sectionSources used
The notes reference publicly available material from WETT Inc., the CSIA, the NFPA, and Natural Resources Canada. Links appear at the foot of each page.
About these notesGuides
Three detailed walk-throughs.
Inspection
Understanding chimney inspections in Canada
The three inspection levels, what WETT certification adds, and the clearance rules that get checked along the way.
Read the guide
Cleaning
Creosote: how it forms and how it is removed
The three degrees of buildup, the warning signs of a glazed flue, and how sweeps choose between brushing, chemicals, and rotary tools.
Read the guide
Fuel
Seasoning firewood for a clean burn
Why moisture content matters more than species, how long common Canadian hardwoods take to dry, and how to stack for airflow.
Read the guideContact
Questions about a maintenance topic?
Send a note and it will be read. This form does not provide emergency assistance. If you smell smoke in the living space, hear a roaring sound from the chimney, or suspect an active chimney fire, leave the home and call 911.
- General reference
- This site is informational and independent.
- Certified inspections
- Find a WETT-certified professional through wettinc.ca.
- Emergencies
- Call 911. Do not wait.