Do I need another Samsung Hub?

[mcf57 (Mitch)]

I have a two story home (main floor and basement). I recently got a Samsung Smart thing Hub that hooks up to my Nvidia Shield TV device on the main floor. All went good setting it up. I then got a Smart thing water leak sensor. Paired it to the hub as needed and all went good here. However, I was planning to use this to be placed near a water heater in the basement. After placing it next to the water heater, it then had trouble communicating with the hub upstairs.

I am now wondering if I maybe need another hub in the basement for this basement water leak sensor to connect to, right? I actually have a wireless internet router in the basement (as well as the main floor) so should be able to do it with no problem.

Or is there maybe another solution to this issue?

[WB70]

@mcf57

Or is there maybe another solution to this issue?

Yes, it’s all about having repeater (Z-Wave and Zigbee) devices in your SmartThings environment so that you build a strong mesh that reaches any part of your single house. No need (not normally) to add another physical hub. You will have to do some homework.

When @JDRoberts is feeling better, I suspect you will receive a nice detailed reply containing a lot more detailed information for different threads / links to assist you.

[JDRoberts]

Sorry, still not feeling well.

But the following FAQs should help (this is a clickable link)

For the first one, start with post 11, then go back up to the top and read the whole thread

A Guide to Wireless Range & Repeaters

One more thought. While I understand the marketing reasons for the decision, the fact that SmartThings gives customers zero guidance on how to set up a network backbone does lead to a lot of frustration that shouldn’t have to exist. if people knew that .1) The hub should be located centrally in the home, both vertically and horizontally. Don’t put it in a garage or basement as those have concrete and pipes and metal objects which will reduce signal. If your Internet router is off in some inaccessible corner, you can use a Wi-Fi access point that has a ethernet port on the side and plug into that. Also, the hub should not be put in a cabinet. You just want to make it as easy as possible for signal to spread around your house. .2) you need one device that can repeat about every 40 feet…

And then for A specific discussion of covering a big house, see the following:

FAQ: Create an all-around z-wave presence in a 4,000 sq ft home?

Is there a way to create an all-around “z-wave presence” in my 4000 sq ft home? My home is not just a two story block home. It is a one story, spread out “ranch style”, so it really covers 4,000 sq ft on horizontal terrain. What I want to do is create a z-wave mesh that is available anywhere in my home, similar to my WiFi system. (In the WiFi case, I simply distributed Unifi AP-Pro’s throughout the home so that all spaces are covered.) So . . . how can I do something similar with Z-wave? I don’t want to worry about NOT having a Z-Wave signal available. I just want it to be there when/if I need it. Any suggestions and/or words of wisdom?

[WB70]

@JDRoberts

Sorry, still not feeling well.

Really hoping the New Year changes that for you!

[JDRoberts]

@WB70

@JDRoberts

Sorry, still not feeling well.

Really hoping the New Year changes that for you!

Thanks, me, too!

[mcf57 (Mitch)]

OK, I see how it works. Looks like I can add a Z-wave or Zigbee repeater in the basement and should then be able to connect the water sensor to this instead. I even see some that are a repeater with a built-in smart outlet. Thanks for the info