Cracked Steel on Hearthstone Homestead

[Quills]

Happy New Year! I was doing a mid-season chimney sweep and I noticed this crack in the steel right next to where the chimney connects to the stove (the baffle maybe? Not 100% certain if thats the right term).



I know this isn't good, but here are my questions:

-How bad is it?
-Can the stove be replaced, or is this one totaled?
-What is the likelihood that Hearthstone will follow through on their lifetime warranty? I'm the original owner and its only been used for 3-4 seasons.

Thanks!!

 

[begreen]

It should be covered under warranty. Contact the dealer to file a warranty claim.