Don't despair most problems can be sorted quickly and easily
1. General info about repairs
2. The zip keeps splitting at the end when I'm trying to close it
3. The zip seems to be broken
4. The zip won't close at the start
5. The zip closes but there is a small gap/hope at the end
6. The ball has a small hole/puncture
7. Handles or anchor points have come off
8. There is a big split or hole in the ball
9. Getting balls repaired
10. The zip rubber is cut/the teeth have broken
11. The logo is ripped
12. The zip coming away from the ball etc
13. Lubricant
14. Different Zips
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1. General info about repairs
The zips and the balls are not indestructible and can be damaged via improper use, care, accidental damage and over use. We have no control over how your lifeguards operate, treat or store the balls and understand that managers also can not always make sure that everything is done perfectly. So we cannot be responsible for any repair/replacement costs. However we have very easy and cost effective solutions to any problem. For the cost of a Waterwalkerz session you can have a major repair done locally to you (at a canvas maker/repair company/sail maker/bouncy castle repair company) or at one the above recommended companies.
2. The zip keeps splitting at the end when I'm trying to close it
This is almost definitely just because you are not operating it correctly.
See instructions PDF and video
here for correct technique
If you follow the exact technique on this video (available on youtube or as a small download) you will probably be able to close it. A good test is to hose the zip out/brush it up and down using a nail brush and fairy liquid/other lubricant and then trying to zip it up when deflated flat on the ground. If it zips up like this then the zip is ok and when inflated you just need to take the pressure off it when zipping it up. The below videos on this page also show good examples of zips opening or closing depending on how they are pulled/if you take the pressure off the zip or not.
If it doesn't zip up even flat on the ground you might want to squeeze the zipper runner a bit with pliers (perhaps from being pulled too hard in the wrong way it had become a little loose).
If you still cannot do it please take a video of the problem and email it to us at info@waterwalkerz.com so we can give you some advice.
If you are convinced that it is broken and it cannot be fixed you can get the old zip cut out and a new zip put in.
A new zip costs £50 and a local company with a high frequency welder will be able to weld it in for you within about 30 minutes. Or you can send it to either of the companies below who will do it (call them for a quote and turn around time).
3. The zip seems to be broken
4. The zip won't close at the start
5. The zip closes but there is a small gap/hope at the end
Please have a look at this video to show that most of the time zips can be put back together.
If the zip is open at the start you can open that hole all the way along so the runner is now at the other end and the zip is completely open. Then with your fingers you can manually put the zip together from the start and then run the runner back over it which should mean that it starts working again. If there is a small hole at the end and it just won't close you might be able to use pliers to sort it out as demonstrated in this video.
6. The ball has a small hole/puncture
You need to clean the surface of the ball and the patch (supplied with the balls) with white spirit then apply glue to the ball and the patch, wait a few minutes until a little tacky and then put together, add a weight and leave for 24 hours. It's always much better to patch both sides of a hole so it's twice as strong. Email us if you need more patches (£5 includes postage and VAT).
7. Handles or anchor points have come off
They will only have come off or broken if pulled too hard (see demo video of tests here if not convinced)
If they have come off they need to be glued back on
If you need glue or handles please email us at info@waterwalkerz.com
(£5 per handle and £5 per glue, price includes postage and VAT)
You need to clean the surface of the ball and handle with white spirit then apply glue to the ball and handle, wait a few minutes until a little tacky and then put together, add a weight and leave for 24 hours.
If your handle comes off you might be able to continue using the ball by tying a small piece of rope to the anchor point and using that as a handle instead or use the velcro cover for support.
8. There is a big split or hole in the ball
You will need to get someone to repair it with a high frequency welder (a local company or either of these 2 companies).
It will only take them about 20 minutes to do the repair.
9. Getting Balls repaired
(Only consider it if you are sure they need it and have read the info/seen the videos)
Please only get balls repaired after you have read everything on this page/talked to us/shown us pictures/videos of the problem and are sure that you cannot resolve the problem yourself. There's no point paying for a replacement zip, plus courier costs etc if it doesn't need it, plus with a new zip you are likely to have the same problems again if you don't understand the zip properly.
Any local tarpaulin maker (search on www.yell.com) with a high frequency welder should be able to replace a zip/do any other repairs quickly and cheaply in under an hour (it can take only 20 minutes to replace a zip).
You can get the zip from us £50+VAT and give it to them with your ball.
Or you can send the balls to either of the below companies which usually have zips in stock so you don't need to get them from us first.
But by using these companies you will also have to pay the courier fees so the overall repair cost is likely to be higher.
Contact them first for a quote and when you send the balls include details of the exact problems
and include your contact details. These repair companies are independent of Waterwalkerz
If you need advice or help please ask us and not them
Kingswood Canvas
Tel: 0117 9601281 (Ask for Andy or Gordon)
Kingswood Canvas Ltd, Unit 8 / 9 / Douglas Rd Ind Pk, Douglas Road, Bristol, Avon BS15 8PD
Brackenbury's of Suffolk
Mr. Barend Hayward-Brackenbury, Unit 3 Kenton Hall, Debenham Road, Kenton, Stowmarket, Suffolk, IP14 6JU
Worst case scenario: A brand new zip encased in TPU (12cm overlap all around) is only £50+VAT
Including all courier costs and labor you are looking at about £110+VAT per ball
If you send a ball to someone rather than use a local company you can send a ball to them via
www.interparcel.com for only £6.99
Or via TNT/DHL/Post Office etc (Do not wrap too tightly use a box about 58x45x39cm or larger)
Do not send wet balls (They will have to dry them out which will slow things down)
The weight of a dry ball will be 14KG (you will need to state this weight if sending a ball with a courier)
10. The zip rubber is cut/the teeth have broken
If the zip has any cuts in it it means it has been pulled too roughly (probably not wet or lubricated enough). Or possibly something like a stone/dirt had got caught in the zip. You may be able to still use the zip if you are careful and might even be able to smooth the rough parts down, however it might be just as well to get a new zip put in (if the zip has become awkward or unreliable).
11. Logo Ripped
If the logo part of the ball has ripped or has been snagged so is coming away from the ball we suggest cutting it off and gluing the remaining parts so that it doesn't lead to further damage. If you feel the damage is too much to glue or you do not have the time to do so then we suggest sending the ball to one of the companies for welding.
12. Zip coming away etc
If the zip is coming away from the ball or the black part of the zip is ripped it means that it has been pulled too roughly. It can also be a combination of pulling it too roughly and leaving the ball damp and not cleaned for prolonged periods so the original welds around the zip weaken or rot. You may be able to re-glue the part that has come away but getting a new zip put in may well save you the time and hassle of doing this.
13. Lubricant
You can buy more lubricant from here:
Because it is expensive most people actually use washing-up liquid, other lubricant from DIY stores etc
T-zip official website here:
www.tizip.com for more/official info
14. Different Zips
If you prefer to get a different model zip you may be able to get one from
(but they won't be encased in TPU material and will be much more expensive)
