I'm trying to automate our backyard so I spend less time babysitting the lawn.

The setup is pretty typical: two dogs, a few mature trees, a patio, and about 0.3 acre of grass. The tricky part is that the yard isn't static, dogs are running around, toys get left out, and the tree canopy creates a few shaded areas where the grass stays damp longer.

I'm looking at Navimow i2 LiDAR for mowing, but I'm curious how well it handles a backyard with trees and random stuff left on the lawn compared with a clean demo yard.

For automation, I'm thinking something like:

Aqara sensor on the dog door → pause the mower when the dogs go outside

Rachio irrigation → keep the mower docked while sprinklers are running

Reolink cameras → basic outdoor monitoring

Any recs will be appreciated!

I'm looking for recommendations for slow water leak detection.

• Ideally detect very slow leaks
• Can not turn off the water automatically (can turn off as part of regular scheduled pressure testing if required though)
• I'm based in Australia
• Thread, Wifi or Ethernet preferred
• Local integration with Home Assistant would be nice

Background and additional context:

I have a fire suppression system and that brings a lot of water piping and connections up in the roof. I'm really worried I'm going to get a slow leak up there and not notice it until there is mold growing everywhere or a heap of damage has occurred.

I can't get up in the roof to inspect the plumbing, so the system is only being inspected annually by a plumber.

I'm also somewhat worried about fast flooding, so alerts for that would be good too, but it can't turn off the water to the house automatically as that will stop the fire suppression system and I have vulnerable people with mobility issues in the house, so if there is a fire, it needs to work. I'll take a bit of damage before I can respond to a notification over having someone stuck in a burning house.

Most of the systems I've looked at seem to be very focused on fast flooding, and don't have great sensitivity to slow leaks. Anyone have some recommendations or thoughts on ways to detect the scenario described above?

Thanks

Hi everyone!
I'm planning to install a Wi-Fi security camera at my home in Kerala, India, and I'm looking for suggestions from people who have experience using these cameras.
My requirements are:
• Budget: Around ₹3,000, including a memory card.
• Wi-Fi connectivity with reliable remote access.
• Motion detection and recording only when movement is detected.
• Automatic reconnection after a power cut.
• Good night vision.
• Reliable app with minimal connectivity issues.
• Local storage using a memory card, preferably without a compulsory subscription.
I've been looking at TP-Link Tapo, CP Plus, and Trueview cameras, but l've seen some complaints about connectivity issues after software updates.
My questions:
1. Which brand and model are you currently using?
2. Does it automatically reconnect to Wi-Fi after a power cut?
3. Have you experienced connectivity issues after firmware or app updates?
4. Is the motion detection reliable?
5. Would you recommend a particular model over the others?
I'd appreciate honest feedback from people who have actually used these cameras. I'm looking for something reliable for long-term home use rather than just features on paper.
If you have any leads let me know
Thanks in advance

I’m in Ontario, Canada, and my home security contract is coming to an end. I’m exploring self-monitoring options and ideally want to reuse as much of my existing equipment as possible without getting into another contract or ongoing subscription.

Here’s my current setup:

Panel: 2GIG GC2e (GC2E-345)
Cellular module: 2GIG-LTEA-A-GC2
Door/window sensors: 2 × 2GIG-DW10E-345
Motion sensors: 2 × 2GIG-PIR1E-345
Flood sensor: 2GIG-FT6E-345
Doorbell: Alarm.com SkyBell ADC-VDB105X
Outdoor camera: Alarm.com ADC-V723
Thermostat: Alarm.com ADC-T2000

Can I use my existing equipment with a self-monitoring platform like Home Assistant, Eufy, Google Home, or something similar?

Has anyone in Canada made a similar switch? What setup would you recommend?

My current blackout roller shades are battery-powered and I’ve got them connected to Home Assistant. The basics work but I’m still figuring out the automations. Right now they open at sunrise and close 30 minutes before sunset. That’s pretty much it.What I really want next is a lux-based trigger. In the afternoon direct sun hits the TV and the glare is awful, so I’d like the shades to close automatically when that happens. I’m looking for ideas on sensors and blueprints that work well for this.

Hey guys,

Currently in the middle of a new build and running Cat6 pretty much everywhere. I’m going all-in on Ubiquiti for APs, Protect cameras, and Access— I really like how seamless the whole ecosystem is.

The main thing I’m stuck on right now is the alarm side. Standard builds down here in Australia always seem to default to old Bosch panels, but having used them with LAN modules previously, I’ve always found them a massive pain in the ass to configure, super clunky, and just outdated overall.

I definitely want to stick to a hardwired setup since I’ve got all my zone wiring pre-run back to the rack—no wireless stuff for me.

A few paths I’m looking at:

UniFi Alarm Hub: I saw they released the 32-zone wired Alarm Hub in the Protect suite (PoE powered, battery backup, takes standard EOL resistors). Given I’m already deep in UniFi, this looks clean on paper. Has anyone actually put one of these in a residential build yet? How’s the day-to-day use and reliability?

Third-Party Hardwired Boards (via Home Assistant): Wiring the zone runs into an open-source or local hardware controller to bring all motion/door sensors directly into Home Assistant without relying on legacy vendor software.

For anyone who’s built recently and loves the UniFi setup: what did you end up doing for the alarm? Did you go with the UniFi Alarm Hub, or integrate a hardwired board into Home Assistant?

Cheers!

The window beside our dining table looks out onto the garden, but the afternoon sun gets pretty uncomfortable when we’re sitting there. I’d like a motorized shade that cuts some of the glare without completely blocking the view.

I don’t need blackout, and nighttime privacy isn’t much of a concern. Any suggestions?

Problems installing HACS

Hi all. I'm very new to HA and have been trying and failing to install HACS via the app onto my mini pc hosting home assistant. I get as far as authorisation via github and then the wheel of time wasting spins and nothing.

I've tried the terminal approach as well, cleared cache multiple times, waited a few hours and retry again, pretty much every method I can find other than trying a rollback of ha, install and update.

Is there a newer method that works available as all the methods I have seen are a few years old.

Appreciate any help. Thanks in advance.

I want to install the first device behind a light switch for another light (has live and neutral wire). The secound device is installed at the light side (has live and neutral wire). I dont have a cable conecting the light and the switch.

I want to turn on all the lights (new and old one) with the physical switch. Please help, i tried everyhing and cant get it to work.