If a zipper is leaking and it hasn’t been physically damaged, it’s probably because there’s some debris stuck in it, preventing a seal from forming – even a tiny grain of sand can allow air to escape.
How to fix a leaky zipper:
- Make sure it’s really the zipper that’s leaking (and not the weld between the fabric layers around the zipper, for example). Inflate the packraft and apply some soapy water to the zipper area and watch carefully to see exactly where the bubbles form – if it’s not along the zipper’s center line or under the metal slider, the zipper is not the problem.
- Open the zipper and examine the sealing surfaces. Remove any obvious contamination.
- Scrub the zipper with an old toothbrush and water – especially the metal slider and the area where the seal is leaking.
- Reapply the included silicone lubricant and close the zipper.
- Inflate your packraft and check for leaks again with soap+water.
- If the zipper is still leaking, repeat steps 2-5. (You might have to go through this process more than once – one customer had to brush/rinse/lubricate his zipper three times before it stopped leaking).
Note:
Every TIZIP SuperSeal airtight zipper is tested at the factory to ensure it does not leak (at a much higher pressure than packrafts are inflated to). I handle and pack the zippers carefully to ensure they are never folded or kinked before they reach you.
Tips:
- Never fold an airtight zipper – folding a TIZIP SuperSeal sharply can permanently damage the seal. When you pack your packraft, roll the zipper area with a diameter no less than about 7-10 cm (3-4″).
- Avoid fouling the zipper with glue or debris
- Don’t over-stress the zipper by stretching it open forcefully or by bending it sharply.
- Wipe/rinse away any sand, salt water, or debris before opening your zipper.
- Make sure items are clean before inserting them through the open zipper into the packraft – if they are coated in dirt or sand, this debris will stick to the zipper’s lubricant and prevent an airtight seal from forming when the zipper is closed.
Airtight zippers are precision-made mechanical devices and, as such, may wear out over time and are not guaranteed to last forever. To keep your zipper working well for years to come, keep it clean, roll your packraft with care to avoid folding the zipper, and occasionally reapply the included silicone lubricant.
6 Comments
Alan Bol · March 25, 2021 at 7:08 pm
I just finished building and have a leak at the zipper pull. Is that normal or is a little leaking typical? I can’t hear it, only see it with soap bubbles.
Matt (Admin) · March 26, 2021 at 8:19 am
Hi Alan – all the zippers are tested at the factory for airtightness, so it should not leak at all. You may need to clean it thoroughly and re-lubricate, as described above.
Alan Bol · March 26, 2021 at 8:37 pm
It’s leaking on one side of the zipper pull, just where the pull meets the stop. I’ve cleaned that area and the zipper pull (as much as I can). with a toothbrush. Everything is looking clean. I’ve lubed it up. It’s all brand new and nothing has left my work room. It’s pretty frustrating, so if you’ve encountered something like this before, I’m all ears.
The little horseshoe bit does look a little flawed where it’s welded to the coil, but that’s on the opposite side from where it’s leaking.
Matt (Admin) · March 29, 2021 at 12:55 pm
Hi Alan, the only things I can think to recommend is to repeat the cleaning (as I mentioned above, it took three full cleanings for one person), and to operate the zipper many times to hopefully dislodge whatever is keeping the seal from closing. Also, if it’s leaking so slowly that it’s not noticeable without soap, then it will be safe to use on the water for a very long time and the loss of air won’t be noticeable compared to temperature changes, so don’t let it stop you from going paddling before it stops leaking.
heatshear · June 13, 2021 at 11:34 am
I thought my zipper was leaking, same area. Bubbles all around the docking area of the zipper body. Turns out, the leak was from a faulty sealing job between the zipper fabric and the packraft fabric – the slot was just so tight to the zipper dock that it only LOOKED like the air came from the zipper body. After lots of unsuccessful cleaning, I went over the entire area again with my iron. That fixed it. The zipper is perfect.
Matt (Admin) · June 14, 2021 at 9:34 am
Thanks for posting this – I hadn’t thought to suggest checking that. I’ve added your tip in a note above.