Zips not working, try these fixes

Zips are an important part of our clothing and accessories. Occasionally they break on them and at Ealing Repair Cafe we have a few techniques to get them back into working order. Below we have some suggestions for small fixes for zips. For bigger issues, you could look at our piggyback zip technique. First check if these fixes will solve the issue with the zip.

Some zip problems can be easily solved with some pliers. See this great article on how to fix and maintain a zip. Or come along to an Ealing repair sessions and we can see if it can be fixed with our zip mending kit.

Zip teeth not coming together

If the zipper is still going up and down zip, but it’s not closing the teeth of the zip. It might be solved by some fine tuning with a pair of pliers.

Zipper broken?

If the zipper has snapped or broken you can replace it. You can buy replacements online or in a good haberdashery shop. You can also buy a zip replacement kit or come along to one of our sessions listed What’s on and you can use ours.

To replace the zipper, select a zipper where the black plate is the same size as the original. Then you can re-attach it and add a new stopper. This should make the zip work again. If the teeth are not closing, try pinching it with pliers to get the zipper working.

Get it fixed: use the zip experts

If you havent been able to fix it, might be worth bring in the experts. Many tailors and drycleaners offer zip replacement and its worth paying for a professional job. It wont be the cheapest repair, but it will be worth it to have your favorite coat or bag back in action. 

Use the Zip Experts https://www.zipexperts.co.uk for more complicated zip fixes ask. We have recommended them for specialist projects and they have done a brilliant job.

For example, this cargo bike cover had a broken zip. Rather than replace the whole thing, it was taken to the Zip Experts. They were able to fix it and now its back on the road.