A broken zipper can be a real inconvenience, making dressing and undressing a stressful experience. In fact, it can be so annoying that some individuals even throw away their garments once the zipper breaks. What they don���t realize is that fixing a zipper is often an incredibly simple task that requires little more than a few minutes and some basic tools. Here is a step-by-step guide to fixing a faulty zipper.
Remove the stop
At the bottom of the zipper should be a square-shaped metal band called a ���stop,��� which holds the slider at the base of the zip. If your zipper has become separated or the teeth have grown misaligned, you���ll need to remove this stop in order to reset it. The best way to do this is to pull the stop off with a pair of pliers, although this method may require a little elbow grease. If you don���t have pliers at hand, you may be able to remove the stop with a screwdriver or even a kitchen knife.
Realign the teeth
Once you���ve removed the stop, move the slider to the bottom of the zipper, but make sure not to remove it completely. If your zipper has become separated, this will give you an opportunity to readjust the teeth back to their original position. Similarly, if the teeth have become separated, you should now be able to reset it by moving the slider just beyond the bottom-most teeth, realigning the teeth so that they mesh smoothly. Move the slider back up to the top.
Close it up
Now that you���ve corrected the problem, you can close the bottom of the zipper back up. This can be done by sewing around the bottom of the zipper with a needle and thread. The idea is to replace the metal stopper you removed with thread, so be sure to use plenty of thread to secure it properly. Once you���ve sewn around six or seven stitches, tie a knot on the backside of the zipper.
It should also be noted that if the teeth at the end of your zipper have become warped or frayed, sewing a new stopping point above the breakage will often fix the problem, depending on the extent of the damage.
Test it out
After you���ve closed it back up, it���s time to test your repaired zipper. The slider should be able to glide smoothly all the way to the top and land neatly on the bottom of the zipper.