How to Fix a Zipper: A Step-by-Step Guide

Step by step

1. 1

   Check what exactly broke

   Open the zipper and move the slider slowly in both directions. See whether the teeth behind the slider join up evenly, whether the slider jumps off the tape, or whether the stop at the bottom is missing. That decides which repair you'll pick - in most cases pliers and a few minutes are all it takes.

2. 2

   Slider not joining the teeth - squeeze it with pliers

   If a gap opens up behind the slider, the slider itself has spread and no longer presses the teeth together. Grip it with flat pliers and squeeze gently from the top, then from the bottom - symmetrically and a little at a time. Check the movement after each squeeze; better to repeat a few times than to crush the slider and jam it completely.

3. 3

   Slider came off one side - thread it back from the end of the tape

   When the slider has slipped off one row of teeth, slide it all the way down on the side that still holds. Feed the loose end of the other tape into the slider's empty channel and pull it slowly upward, straightening the teeth with your fingers. If the opening is too tight, pry it apart slightly by slipping in a flat screwdriver.

4. 4

   Bottom stop missing - make a new one

   The little metal stop at the bottom of the zipper sometimes falls off, and the slider runs off the tape. In its place, crimp a small metal clamp at that height, or wrap strong thread around several times and tie it off firmly. A stop like that will halt the slider and let you zip up normally until you make it to a tailor.

5. 5

   Zipper jams - lubricate the teeth

   Jamming is usually dirt and friction, not a real fault. Run pencil graphite along the teeth, rub them with a bar of soap or the end of a candle, or apply a dab of petroleum jelly. Open and close the slider a few times to work the lubricant into the teeth, then wipe off the excess with a cloth so it doesn't stain the fabric.

6. 6

   Slider skips and the jacket pops open - tighten or replace the slider

   A zipper that you close but that splits open right behind the slider usually has a spread slider - start with a gentle squeeze as in step two. If it still skips after a few tries, the slider is worn out and needs replacing. That's normal on older jackets where the tape and teeth are still in good shape.

7. 7

   Replace just the slider with a repair kit

   Cut off or remove the zipper's top stop to make room to slide the old slider off. Slide on a new slider in the right size (the number is often stamped on the underside of the old one), onto both sides of the tape at once. Finally, recreate the top stop with a clamp, a clip from the kit, or a few stitches of strong thread.

What to have ready before the repair

For most repairs you only need flat pliers, a small flat screwdriver, a pencil, and a needle with strong thread. If you're replacing the slider, buy a cheap zipper repair kit - it comes with sliders in several sizes and spare metal stops.

You can tell the slider size from the number stamped on its underside, for example 5 on jackets or 3 on the thinner zippers in pants and handbags. Match the slider to the same zipper type (metal to metal, coil to coil), otherwise it won't run evenly on the teeth.

When to take the zipper to a tailor

If teeth are broken off, the tape is torn, or the zipper is sewn deep into the lining of a jacket or a sleeping bag, home methods won't help and a tailor is the better call. The same goes for zippers in sheepskin and leather jackets, which need a machine built for heavy material.

As a rough guide, having just the slider replaced by a tailor costs around 15-30 zł (Polish złoty), and replacing a whole jacket zipper usually 40-80 zł, depending on the length and the city. For pricier clothing, that repair still comes out far cheaper than buying new.

Frequently asked questions