I found that my above ground replacement sprinkler valve is not a perfect match for the existing pvc pipes. The pvc pipes are 1/4” too close together. I dug down along the pvc pipe to expose the pipe that elbows and continues horizontally to the sprinkler heads in the hope that I could nudge the pipes apart 1/8” each to fit the sprinkler valve.
Will this create too much of an angle and ruin the threading? I am adding a threaded Union to make future replacements easier. Can someone tell me if this is an acceptable adjustment in a sprinkler system—or if it must be an exactly perfect match. I’ve seen other people shift the pipe apart or closer by about an 1/8”. Is 1/4” too much to shift safely? Any expert advice and experience would be appreciated. I’m adding a photo (for some reason it ends up upside down no matter what I do)