The Cobalt Hollow Journal
Practical guides for the gear you actually own
Buying checklists, maintenance routines and honest answers from Nathan Pierce — written from installs and repairs, not press releases.
Watering & IrrigationHow to Buy an Expandable Hose That Actually Survives the SeasonMost pocket hoses die at the same three spots: the coupling, the inner tube, and the shutoff. Here is what to check before you buy, and how to make whichever hose you own last years instead of weeks.Nathan Pierce · August 10, 2026 · 6 min read
Poultry, Coop & Pest ControlAutomatic Coop Doors: What Actually Stops a RaccoonRaccoons open latches, lift sliders, and learn schedules. A door only protects your flock if the mechanism, the material, and the timing all hold. Here is the checklist we use.Nathan Pierce · August 6, 2026 · 7 min read
Vacuums & Floor CareWhy Cordless Vacuums Lose Suction (and the 10-Minute Fix)Nine times out of ten, a 'dying' cordless stick vacuum is a clogged filter or a wrapped brush roll, not a dying motor. A maintenance routine that takes ten minutes a month keeps airflow like new.Nathan Pierce · August 2, 2026 · 5 min read