And when this happens, the slider can’t fully open or close the zipper because it’s misaligned with the zipper teeth. Occasionally the right and left halves of a zipper will become misaligned, causing a wrinkle in the zipper. Just be careful not to crush the slider or pinch too forcefully, otherwise the slider won’t slide at all.
To fix this problem, simply use a pair of pliers pinch closed the two halves of the slider. That’s because over time, the narrow gap between the front and rear of the slider can widen, preventing it from pulling in and engaging the teeth. It’s not unusual for a zipper to suddenly not close when you pull up the slider, even though the slider moves freely and the teeth are in perfect condition.
Once the fabric is cut off, pull the tab to free the slider. Regular scissors are usually too large to work in such a tight space. If the slider won’t budge, you’ll have snip away the offending piece of fabric with a razor knife or manicure scissors. Apply even, consistent pressure until the slider breaks free. However, don’t yank on the tab too forcefully or it’ll break off. While tightly holding the fabric, gently pull on the tab to free the zipper. Be sure to position the pliers very close to the slider. Then, use needle-nose pliers to grab onto the jammed fabric. Start by removing the garment by pulling it over your head that’ll make the repair much easier. Ordinarily a zipper becomes stuck when the fabric hem that runs alongside the zipper gets jammed in the slider. If you’ve ever been trapped inside your jacket or zip-up sweatshirt by a stuck zipper, then you’ve experienced one of the most common zipper failures.
If you find any teeth that are bent out of alignment, straighten them out with needle-nose pliers. If the pencil doesn’t work, rub a wax candle along the zipper teeth.Īlso, inspect the zipper to ensure that all the teeth are perfectly aligned. The graphite in the pencil lead will act as a dry lubricant, making the slider slide more easily. When a zipper works, but requires a fair amount of strength to slide it up and down, try this: Take an ordinary lead pencil and rub its sharpened tip along the teeth on the zipper. Here are five quick ways to fix a faulty zipper-without losing your cool. However, when a zipper stops working properly it can send the most mild-mannered among us into a fit of rage. And today, zippers remain popular as the simplest, most reliable way to quickly open and securely close everything from jackets and jeans, to tents and backpacks. The common zipper is a remarkably durable device that has remained ostensibly unchanged for more than a century.