During each school year we see the smallest child to the oldest college student lugging around a school backpack with all their daily necessities. Depending on the school and the age of the student, most backpacks carry school supplies such as books, notebooks/sticky notes, pens/pencils/colors/markers/highlighters, water bottle, hand sanitizer and electronics. A very organized older student or a parent packing a younger one’s backpack could include a mini first-aid kit, a pencil sharpener, a weekly planner or a ruler. But you’re always thinking, safety first when packing those essential items.
Even if your student has found the perfect backpack for their use, the type of materials, the usage and the quality of the backpack will determine its life. Some backpacks need to be replaced every year or others might last three to four years. Whatever the reason each backpack has components that will need repairing at some point: zippers; straps; buckles; seams; fabric; pockets; and padding.
Repairing a backpack is sometimes more economical instead of replacing it, especially if it is the student’s perfect backpack that they don’t want to give up. Find a reputable and experienced repair service to handle any and all repairs. It is that easy and provides a great solution. Let’s figure out what causes damaged or worn backpacks and the remedies.
Zippers
Let’s start with zippers. They are the one component of a backpack that gets the most action. Frequent use can cause wear and tear on all parts of the zipper. And there are many parts. The slider on a zipper can become loose or stuck or have a broken pull tab. When loose, the zipper won’t close properly and results in gaps or even splitting open after being zipped up. The slider can also get stuck if dirt or fabric gets lodged in the teeth or coils. Depending on the length of the zipper that is stuck, it may be hard to unstick it without causing damage. And if the pull tab breaks off, it is extremely difficult to operate the zipper.
Another part of the zipper that can cause issues when damaged can be the metal teeth or plastic coils. When any portion is misaligned, separated or bent the zipper can split apart after zipping. With metal zippers the teeth can bend, causing a stuck zipper or gaps. If the backpack has less than quality zippers, the teeth or coils can be torn from the zipper tape or fabric. The teeth or coils are built into the tape or fabric of the zipper and can become torn or frayed, especially in high stress areas. Or the seams holding the tape to the backpack fabric can come undone and detached from the backpack. One of the most common occurrences is getting the backpack fabric stuck in the zipper. Care must be taken to remove the fabric without damaging the zipper.
Overloading the backpack itself or even a zippered pocket can cause splitting or damage. Sometimes the slider may need to be replaced or if the zipper track is too damaged, replacing the entire zipper may be necessary. A professional repair service can easily replace a detached zipper pull or the entire zipper and will have a variety of colors to match the zipper color or even the backpack color.
Fabrics
Common materials that make up a variety of backpacks are: cotton, leather, synthetic leather and polyester. The daily wear and tear on a backpack can result in a number of issues. Constant rubbing against rough surfaces like walls or sidewalks can cause abrasions in the fabric of the backpack. Sharp objects inside the backpack can puncture the fabric, especially if it is overloaded. Snagging on sharp edges can create holes and tears in the fabric. Water damage from rain showers or being dropped in puddles can cause mold and mildew to develop, leading to stains and odors. Allowing the backpack to become stained or dirty can increase the potential for damaging the fabric. Overloading the backpack can cause stress on the shoulder straps, not to mention the strain on a student’s back muscles.
Holes or tears in the fabric can be patched with durable materials that match the original. A waterproof coating on the fabric can sometimes be reapplied or repaired with sealant if there are large stains. If the backpack doesn’t have a waterproof coating, a deep clean can remove dirt and stains. If the seams begin to come apart, resewing with new stitching threads can reinforce the weak areas. Fabric patches can also be stitched on the backpack. You can select from a variety of thread colors and thickness. Torn pockets can be sewn or patched. Zippers or closures on pockets can also be replaced. The shoulder straps can become torn or frayed from constant handling. The materials can be matched to the original and be reinforced or replaced. Worn out or compressed padding in the shoulder straps or the back panel can be replaced or re-padded.
Hardware
Broken buckles or missing snaps are easily replaced with new ones if they cannot be repaired. An excellent repair service can offer a variety of styles and finishes to replace or repair broken or lost hardware.
Backpack Repair Service You Can Count On
At San Antonio Shoe & Luggage Repair, you can count on our reliable and experienced cobblers or craftsmen to repair your students’ backpacks to be ready to charge into the new school year. We can match fabrics, colors, threads and hardware to whatever backpack you bring in for repair. We are proud to have served San Antonio and the surrounding area since 1997. We have two convenient locations to serve you: on Broadway Street and on Bitters Road. Our fine craftsmanship and high quality repair work using the highest quality products have earned us a strong reputation and many loyal customers. No matter what type of shoe, piece of luggage or backpack has been broken or been victim of everyday wear and tear, the associates at San Antonio Shoe & Luggage Repair will fix it right the first time. Let us prove we are the best choice for repairing your favorite backpacks, shoes, boots, purses, luggage and restoring your leather items.
