# Zipper teeth pull apart - fixable?
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zipper-teeth-pull-apart-fixable/85979
**Category:** In My Humble Opinion
**Created:** [October 7, 2001, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zipper-teeth-pull-apart-fixable/85979 "2001-10-07T20:26:48Z")
**Posts on this page:** 6
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@Sycorax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sycorax)
#### Post date: [October 7, 2001, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zipper-teeth-pull-apart-fixable/85979/1 "2001-10-07T20:26:48Z")
When I zip up my jacket, the teeth come apart. Is there any way to fix it? It’s an old jacket and I don’t want to spend the time trying to put in a new zipper. (Not being much of a seamstress, I’d probably screw it up anyway.)
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### Author:  [@Motorgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Motorgirl)
#### Post date: [October 7, 2001, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zipper-teeth-pull-apart-fixable/85979/2 "2001-10-07T20:36:39Z")
Probably not. Plus, zippers are not easy to repace unless you’re pretty good at sewing or prety lucky. If you’re emotionally attached to the jacket, see if your local drycleaner does tailoring, and how much it would cost to replace the zipper. What material is the jacket?
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### Author:  [@Fern\_Forest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fern_Forest)
#### Post date: [October 7, 2001, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zipper-teeth-pull-apart-fixable/85979/3 "2001-10-07T20:41:08Z")
You mean they’ve opened below the zip? That’s happened to me and what I’ve done is go over and push the two sides back together with my hands. But there’s always a small part that wont go so you zip the zip over it real quick and that usually gets it. If not try again.
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### Author:  [@Sycorax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sycorax)
#### Post date: [October 7, 2001, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zipper-teeth-pull-apart-fixable/85979/4 "2001-10-07T20:57:58Z")
Yes, the teeth pull apart beneath the zipper pull. It’s polyester, but that soft, fleecy stuff. The zipper is metal.
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### Author:  [@Motorgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Motorgirl)
#### Post date: [October 7, 2001, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zipper-teeth-pull-apart-fixable/85979/5 "2001-10-07T21:41:34Z")
the fleecy material is fairly easy to work with, so having the zipper replaced shouldn’t cost you an arm and a leg.
but if the zipper chronically separates, it’s not going to get any better. One or more teeth have become displaced and ya can’t put them back - even if you can identify which one is out of whack - sometimes it’s a pretty subtle misalignment.
Your jacket will need a new zipper, or you’ll need a new look - the I’ve-got-my-jacket-hanging-open-cause-I’m-cool!-Of-course-I’m-not-ccccold Look.
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### Author:  [@capacitor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/capacitor)
#### Post date: [October 8, 2001, 3:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zipper-teeth-pull-apart-fixable/85979/6 "2001-10-08T03:05:46Z")
Take it to the cleaners, they’ll either fix it or sew a new section in for ya. I did that with my clothes.