Stove in fireplace causing damage

Hi Folks,
I have an Efel double glass door fronted stove in the living room. When I bought the house this was in place instead of the open fire. It doesnt have a backboiler, but burns all solid fuel and throws out great heat. Problem is, that the plaster work cracks over the mantel piece right up to the ceiling. So much so that it needed replastering last year and looks like it will be the same this year. Anyone else have this problem or is this just a bad job by the builder!!! I'm just concerned it may not have been fitted properly and safely. Thanking You...

Not sure. Could it be that there was no insulation round the chimney pipe, and the heat is causing problems???

It's a near-certainty that the flue itself is sound. If it is cracked, you would see some smoke damage.

I don't think replastering solves the problem, and your experience seems to be forcing the same conclusion on you. I suspect that some mortar joints in the wall have given way, and perhaps a block might have cracked -- all because of heat expansion. If the crack is not wide, but more of a cosmetic problem, then it might be better to hide it rather than try to fill it. I have used a mirror from mantel-shelf to ceiling to do that.

Hi Guys

Thanks for the advice