how to fix a zipper that separates

Repairing a Zipper That Separates

Close up of a yellow jacket zipper.

Having a zipper that continually separates is very frustrating. Sometimes a fix is easy. First look at the zipper teeth and see if any of them are bent and try to bend it back so that the teeth are even. For zippers on bags or shoes you can sew just above where the zipper separates. This makes the zipper shorter but still useable. Sometimes the zipper just needs to be replaced, which you can do at a drycleaners or shoe repair shop.

6 Questions

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Question: Repairing a Zipper That Zips and Then Splits Open?

January 21, 2010

How do you repair a zipper that comes apart while zipping up a sweatshirt?

By Dana from Palo Alto, CA

Answers

January 21, 2010 9 found this helpful

Best Answer

Don't throw it away!
Take a pair of pliers and clamp the slots on the pull to where they are a little closer together (narrower) this aligns the teeth of the zipper more securely. This has worked for me several times on different items.

Reply Was this helpful? 9

January 25, 2010 1 found this helpful

Best Answer

Take a close look at the zipper teeth to see if any are bent, or missing. If this is the case you need to replace the zipper. Do you have a friend who sews, if you don't?

Maybe trade her skill for something you can do for her. No money changes hands and you both benefit. Good luck.

Reply Was this helpful? 1

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Question: Repairing a Nylon Zipper That Separated?

I want to fix my boots so bad, but I don't know how. When I zip them up it starts to come open at the bottom so please tell me how to fix them. They are my favorite.

By Lindsay B.

Answers

vicki hood
Bronze Feedback Medal for All Time! 102 Feedbacks

October 11, 2012 1 found this helpful

I had to take my purse to the shoe repairman. Call and ask how much for a new zipper as to patch a zipper with any strain on it usually doesn't work or very long.

Reply Was this helpful? 1

October 11, 2012 0 found this helpful

This may be a problem for a shoemaker. Separating zippers especially the nylon kind with small fine teeth are nearly impossible to fix.

October 11, 2012 0 found this helpful

You need to get a matching thread and a good needle. At the bottom of the zipper where it separates you need to stitch back and forth like you would do with zig-zag sewing machine in a stationary position.

This will hold the zipper closed so you can zip it up. If you have a shoe repair it would take them seconds to stitch it with their machine. I have repaired zippers like this for years. If you have any question, contact me at ... msharka AT aol.com

October 12, 2012 0 found this helpful

The advice of the other two ladies is valid and you really need to get this evaluated by a shoe repairman. However, I would try to repair it myself if it were me. If they are really good boots and worth the investment, I would go with what they advise. Good luck salvaging something you love.

October 14, 2012 0 found this helpful

Similar to Molly's idea but if you can't sew it I would put a dab of glue on the inside & outside of the zipper.

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Question: Fixing a Metal Zipper That Separates?

The metal zipper on my leather purse has started to separate after zipping, which defeats the purpose of zipping the bag. Is there a way I can fix it myself?

By Liz from Houston, TX

Answers

December 7, 2017 0 found this helpful

Measure it (or take it with you) and go to a fabric store and get a replacement zipper. They are not that hard to replace. Most dry cleaners will also replace zippers.

Judy
Gold Post Medal for All Time! 677 Posts

December 8, 2017 0 found this helpful

You can stitch right above the area that separates. The zipper will be shorter, but will still be usable.

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Question: Repairing a Plastic Zipper That Burst Open?

April 11, 2010

I have a back pack that I really like, but the zipper has been burst by putting too many books in it. The zipper is plastic. Is there anything to do to repair it?

By Anne from Dry Prong, LA

Answers

April 11, 2010 0 found this helpful

Take it to a shoe repair shop and have a new zipper put in. Go for a heavier-duty one.

April 13, 2010 0 found this helpful

I have had this happen to my boys backpacks a lot! Not sure if I can explain well how I've fixed them but here goes. Take the end where your zipper is when open, cut one side and take your zipper off the track on that side. Try to zip it back on track right to where it'll zip. When you get it back on track and zipping right, then you take a needle and thread and sew the end of your zipper tracks back together, right above your cut.

Sew them very good so the zipper cannot come back off. Also sometimes, I found my boys tend to also bend their zipper by trying to hold the weight with the zipper while zipping. Take a pair of pliers and and make sure your zipper is not spread. This will cause it to not stay on track also. Hope this helps

April 13, 2010 0 found this helpful

I forgot if the teeth are messed up on the tracks it won't work it's gonna keep messing up and gonna have to replace zipper.This remedy will only help if the teeth aren't messed up. That's what my mom always called them she worked for Garan's for years.

April 13, 2010 0 found this helpful

You can do this on metal zippers, too.

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Question: Zipper Keeps Separating?

February 13, 2012

My jeans zipper is separating from the bottom up after it is zippered. Help! These are my favorite pair.

By Patti N.

Answers

Louise B.
Silver Feedback Medal for All Time! 337 Feedbacks

February 15, 2012 0 found this helpful

It could be an easy fix, as the tab may need replacing, or you may need a whole new zipper. If you don't know how to do this yourself, you can probably find a place or a person who can do this little repair for you.

My local drycleaner does this sort of repair Ask around your community; check listings such as Kijiji; check the yellow pages for places that do alterations.

February 15, 2012 0 found this helpful

I've been doing this for years. It works on metal and plastic zippers.
Thanks frugalsunnie for this link!

February 16, 2012 0 found this helpful

It is pretty inexpensive to get a new one put in if you can't fix it yourself. Most dry-cleaners offer this service.

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Answers:

Repairing a Zipper That Zips and Then Splits Open

I truly don't think there is a way to fix a zipper that does this (at least that's my personal experience), but what you could try is taking it to a dry cleaners that has an on sight seamstress. If anyone knows, the seamstress will. :-) I've had a lot of help over the years doing this and, for the most part, they are less expensive than a strictly tailoring business. Be prepared that you might have to replace the zipper though. (12/08/2009)

By Deeli

Repairing a Zipper That Zips and Then Splits Open

If it's a nylon zipper, then you can't repair them. If you know how to put in a zipper (a rather simple procedure really), then just remove the old zipper with a seam ripper and place the new zipper in the same area and sew along the same seam lines. Measure the zipper so you'll know what length you will need. Most sewing machines come with a zipper foot attachment. (I think dryer heat too hot causes nylon zippers to malfunction.)

If the zipper is metal, sometimes you can hand sew over the zipper above the area where teeth are missing and that will keep the zipper pull from slipping out of place and popping open the zipper. Also, this depends on where teeth are missing, like in the middle, then you'll need to replace. (12/08/2009)

By Myrna

Repairing a Zipper That Zips and Then Splits Open

Before you replace the zipper you might try using pliers and gently clamping the pull together a little. I have had success doing that on a heavy zipper such as would be in a coat. By pull I mean the part that you pull up to zip the coat. Press close to the bottom of the pull a little and see if that helps. It is not a lot of fun to replace a zipper! (12/10/2009)

By karen

Repairing a Zipper That Zips and Then Splits Open

Unzip the zipper and then squeeze it with a pair of pliers to close the gaps that guide the cloth part by the teeth. If those gaps are too wide, the teeth don't inter-mesh securely, I think. It worked on a pair of boots I had. (12/10/2009)

By Margaret Oren

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