u/Falcon_X4

Hello,

I recently acquired a home with an in ground sprinkler system. Unfortunately, sometime over the winter, the ball valve cracked (right side in photo). Valve size is 1 inch and the pipes are 3/4. I bought a replacement valve, which i tightened the backflow top side (circled as #1), but when i tighten the pipe bottom side (circled as #2), the backflow side (#1) starts to come loose. The bottom pipe is fixed so i can’t turn that obviously, so maybe I’m stupid but can’t figure this out.
P.S. the white portion below the valve (#2) is the reducer from 1 to 3/4.

Appreciate any help you guys can provide.
Also, how can i prevent the valve from cracking in the future. I live in a state where it snows quite a bit.

Thanks