So I’ve been living in this apartment (マンション) for a couple of years now but I don’t use the balcony for much, gazing at the townscape every now and then with a cup of coffee in hand. I never paid attention to this box on the balcony wall, although I figured it has something to do with the gas supply. (Seems I’m not allowed to post a picture so let me just describe what the box looks like. It’s a vertically oriented metal box with the Tokyo gas logo on it and a circular vent right at the top. I guess if you’ve got it you’ll know exactly what I mean.) Today was one of those coffee and gazing days… and suddenly I heard what sounded like something starting up inside the box and assumed it was the wife turning on the hot water or something. So far so good. Then came a bit of a smell. Not a strong smell but definitely a kind of gassy smell. Lingered for maybe half a minute or so and stopped. A couple of minutes later, it happened again: the gurgle inside the box and then the smell. I went in and the wife was using hot water. So here’s my question: Does anyone know what I was smelling and, more importantly, if I *shouldn’t* be smelling it? Logic tells me there’s a vent on the box and so it’s not a leak… but better safe than sorry. Anyone knows about these box thingies? Should I be worried about anything? Thank you indeed for any guidance.
5 comments
You smelled gas.
Happens went starting the burner.
It’s normal.
That’s most likely your hot water heater. They can give off a bit of a smell when they first fire up.
The box is your water heater. The gas smell is normal.
What everyone above said sounds right. If still concerned contact the gas company, they will have someone come and check it out
Thanks all for the quick (and reassuring) responses!