What's Going On
I have Monier Homestead concrete roof tiles that were installed in the late 90s. They came with a 50-year warranty. At around 25 years old, the watercourses - the channels on the underside of each tile that direct water - have started crumbling apart.
I've since found other homeowners online reporting what sounds like the same thing. Tiles from a similar era, same kind of deterioration, well inside the warranty period.
Not sure if yours are Monier? Check your contract of sale or building docs. Monier tiles usually have the brand stamped on the underside.
Signs to look for
- Watercourses crumbling on the underside of tiles
- Cracked or broken tiles, especially ridges and edges
- Leaks with no obvious external damage
- Mould in your roof cavity, ceilings, or walls
- Paint peeling on fascia from hidden moisture
My Experience with the Warranty
I contacted Monier (now under CSR, which was acquired by Saint-Gobain for A$4.3 billion in 2024) to make a warranty claim. They acknowledged it, sent someone to collect a sample tile for testing, and then just... stopped responding. No test results. No formal response. Nothing, despite follow-ups.
From what I've read online, other homeowners describe a similar experience - claims get acknowledged but never actually resolved.
If you're making a claim: Monier's warranty line is 1800 666 437. Put everything in writing (email or letter) so you have a paper trail. Don't rely on phone calls alone.
Where You Stand Legally
Under Australian Consumer Law, products have to be fit for purpose, of acceptable quality, and match their description. A 50-year warranty sets an expectation. Tiles falling apart at 25 years raises serious questions about whether that expectation is being met.
These are statutory guarantees - they apply regardless of what the fine print says, and a change in company ownership doesn't make them go away.
What you can do
- Take photos. Especially the underside of your tiles where the watercourses are deteriorating. Keep any correspondence with Monier or CSR.
- Lodge a warranty claim in writing. Call 1800 666 437 or go through the Monier website, but always follow up by email.
- Fill out this form. I'm trying to get a picture of how many people are affected. If there are enough of us, there may be options worth exploring together.
- Report it to the ACCC. Warranty issues affecting lots of consumers is exactly what they're there for.
Other Reports
A class action over similar Monier tile defects was filed in the US. There are also reviews from Australian homeowners describing the same issues I'm seeing.
- Monier reviews on ProductReview.com.au Consumer reviews of Monier roofing products
- US Monier Roof Tile Class Action A class action filed in the US over similar concrete tile defects