Broken zip

[Barmaid]

The zip on my polytunnel is not working! You can move it up and down, and it knits the thing together but then immediately splits open. I can't take the zip out and replace it (the polytunnel is absolutely full of plants). It's a plastic zip.

Any ideas? It's really windy out there and i am a bit concerned the whole thing will take off.

[LoftyLottie]

Can you use masking tape as a temporary solution?

[Barmaid]

I need to get in and out Loftie so I don't think masking tape will work. (Apart from anything else, the plastic is wet so I don't think it will stick).

[tamborine]

does it pop open from the zip base ?

[LoftyLottie]

I thought you could restick masking tape, but not obviously on wet plastic.

Can you use some clothes pegs to hold the opening together?

[LoftyLottie]

Punch holes in the plastic with a hole punch and thread string through?

[LoftyLottie]

Ah tamborine is getting there.

If it is popping open from the base of the zip, zip it up and then seal off the base where it starts to split. You will have to step over to get into the tunnel though!!

[Barmaid]

Not enough "give" for clothes pegs. I suppose I could punch holes in the plastic, but I would need to stop them ripping somehow.

Tambourine - it pops open from anywhere. You pull the zip down and it almost immediately opens up - anywhere from the top (where the zip splits - ie it is upside down to your jeans) to right down. Bloody thing is about 5ft long.

[EcclesCake]

It sound like the teeth have worn out and no longer locking together.

You could put gaffer tape either side of the zip to reinforce it before punching holes through.

[tamborine]

If the bust was at the base it could've been re'sealed. All over breaks seems corroded teeth. Maybe a new tunnel or string ties ?

[LoftyLottie]

Maybe a new Polytunnel :o(

The idea of gaffer tape to reinforce the plastic and then punch holes might work for a while though.

[TonyV]

can't explain in words - to complicated - but if "slider" is metal you could try this

<object style="height: 390px; width: 640px"><param name="movie" value="https://www.youtube.com/v/tRgw1cLG7hA?v
ersion=3"><param
name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"><embed src="https://www.youtube.com/v/tRgw1cLG7hA?ver
sion=3"
type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" width="640" height="390"></object>
I have managed it on coat zips - and does work in giving a bit more life

[Barmaid]

Right it looks as if the teeth are NOT knitting together properly. I've compared it with another zip on the same thing and that zip is tight, but I can see little chinks of light through this zip.

I've managed to get it closed for now. I can't see where the break is because of a sleeve at the base (top) of the zip, so when it is not quite so windy I'll go and unpick the sleeve to see what I can do.

I should have just bought a bloody greenhouse - trouble is, with the tree where it is, I can't actually fit the size greenhouse I need in there.

[Barmaid]

It's plastic TonyV!

[TonyV]

sorry wrong url added

http://www.youtube.co...ailpage&v=tRgw1cLG7hA

this might work a bit better fingers crossed

[TonyV]

Barmaid managed to cross post lol - there appear to be lots of other tips on youtube - you might find a solution!!

[Focusblue]

Replace complete zip with Strom Clozures ' Stik 'n Zip' from any GOOD builders supply.
Kit contains 2x6' zip, alcohol cleaning wipe etc, there is also an extreme cold weather version. On package info includes poly greenhouse usage but are mainly used in building trade for temporary dustfree and weather proof doorway. Quality is so high it will probably out last an original zip. As Stk 'n zip implies it has an adhesive strip on each side which sticks to original polythene, no bodgers in this department!!
Good Luck

[Barmaid]

Focusblue - thank you very much. I shall go and get a replacement.

Thanks all for your advice. I am pleased to say that with the help of the video TonyV posted and my trusty pliers, I have managed a temporary fix - despite the fact the zip is plastic.