What to Do When Your Wetsuit Zipper Won't Close or Is Broken
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What to check when your wetsuit zipper won't close
Your wetsuit zipper won't close, stops partway, or the slider has come off. When these symptoms appear, many people try to fix it by forcing it.
However, the zipper section bears load easily on a wetsuit. Forcing it open and closed can damage not only the zipper itself but also the surrounding fabric.
Before replacing it or forcing a fix, it's important to first identify where the cause lies.
1. When the slider has come off
If the zipper slider has come off, won't mesh, or only one side is lifting, there may be a problem with the slider.
- The slider has come off
- The zipper teeth won't mesh
- It opens partway even after closing
- The slider moves at an angle
Depending on the condition, a slider replacement can improve it. However, if the zipper teeth or surrounding fabric are also damaged, a different repair may be needed.
2. When the zipper is stiff and won't close
When the zipper is stiff and won't move, sand, salt, wax, or deterioration may be the cause.
- Opening and closing is heavy
- It catches partway
- Salt or sand is jammed in it
- It hasn't been used for a long time
- The fabric around the zipper has hardened
Forcing it can not only break the slider or zipper body but also split the fabric. When movement is stiff, check the condition before pulling hard.
3. When water enters from the zip section
Even though the zipper is closed, water can enter from the back or chest zip section. In this case, not only the zipper body but also the surrounding fabric or bonded areas may be the cause.
- Cold water enters from around the zip
- The fabric around the zipper is torn
- The inner bonding has peeled
- Past repair marks have deteriorated
- The zipper's water resistance has declined
Especially for a Semi-Dry, leaking from the zip section directly leads to cold. Checking early before winter gives peace of mind.
4. When the surrounding fabric is torn
There are also cases where it's not the zipper itself but the fabric around the zipper that's torn. In this case, not just slider replacement but reinforcement or repair of the surrounding fabric may be needed.
- The base of the zipper is split
- The jersey around the zip is torn
- The fabric on the back has peeled
- The fabric is pulled during opening and closing
Forcing it open and closed while the surrounding fabric is weakened can spread the tear. An early check is important.
5. Cases that can be repaired
If the condition is like the following, repair may be possible.
- A condition that can be handled with slider replacement
- A condition improvable with partial repair around the zipper
- A condition where fabric around the zip can be reinforced
- A condition that can be handled with zipper replacement
- A condition where the overall fabric is still soft
The repair method varies depending on the zipper body's condition, the slider's condition, and the degree of deterioration of the surrounding fabric.
6. Cases that are difficult to repair
On the other hand, not every zipper failure is suited to repair. In the following cases, considering replacement may be better.
- The whole fabric has hardened
- A wide area around the zipper is split
- There is deterioration in multiple spots
- An old Semi-Dry with other areas also damaged
- Repair costs become too high
Whether it can be repaired or replacement is better becomes easier to judge by checking the condition with photos.
Spots we'd like you to send when checking by photo
When consulting via LINE, sending the following photos makes it easier to check the condition.
- A photo of the whole zipper
- A close-up photo of the slider
- A close-up photo of the part that won't close
- A photo of the fabric around the zipper
- A photo of the bonded areas on the back
- A photo of the whole wetsuit
Photos alone may not allow us to finalize an official price, but we can confirm the likelihood of repair and the direction of the repair method.
If your zipper breaks, check before forcing it
If the zipper won't close, the slider has come off, or water enters from the zip section, you can check the condition with photos. Please consult us once before replacing it.