Broken zippers often become the main reason for you to discard a particular item. Now that you have this write-up to guide you, you won’t be facing that problem ever again. Fixing the zipper by yourself is a lot easier than you think. You just require a couple of home-based remedies, tips, and patience, to fix stubborn, stuck, or broken zippers. If you have household lubricants and a pair of pliers, then you are all set to go.
Removing jams
Fabric or thread wedged in the teeth of a chain or caught on the slider often results in jams. You should start by turning the clothing or the bag with the zipper inside out and tugging away any fabric you notice with a pair of tweezers. After that, take a graphite pencil and run the lead all over the zipper. It acts as lubrication which prevents the zipper from sticking. If the jamming is a significant one, then you have to rely on other household lubricants like lip balm, Vaseline, talcum powder, baby powder, glass cleaner, or bar soap.
Zipper teeth popping up
A popping zipper doesn’t have to mean that your garment has to go to the dumpster. If you’re lucky, then you can finagle the zipper back into place by relieving the tension that causing the teeth to burst open. Check the zipper teeth by giving it a gentle tug and then smoothen it out for proper alignment. Add one of the previously mentioned lubricants along the teeth. If it doesn’t work, then you have to look into it carefully. Maybe a few of the teeth require individual straightening with needle nose pliers.
Slider replacements
Replacing the slider is relatively simple. Use pliers for removing the ‘top stop’ that exists on your garment. Then move the slider up and off the zipper. If the slider doesn’t budge from the locked position, then use paper clips to stick under the tap loop and pop open the lock. Feed the new slider on the starting point of the teeth, exactly where you dislodged the top stop. Use pliers to replace the top stop with the new one you bought.
For fun
There is no fun if you run to a specialist every time. As you can see here; the task is small and petty enough for anyone to handle with ease. You should give it a try before you head out to a tailor or a shoe-repair shop. The internet will also provide you remedial info on other zipper issues like replacing zipper pull tabs, easing the zipper slider, etc.
