Securing back entrances in Watergraafsmeer means fitting proper locks on the garden doors, sheds and side gates of Betondorp, Middenmeer, Park de Meer and the streets around Christiaan Huygensplein.
Watergraafsmeer is one of the few parts of Amsterdam where most homes have a garden, and gardens come with a second way in. Front doors here are usually well protected. Garden doors are often carrying the cheap lock the builder fitted, behind a fence that nobody can see over.
Why the garden side is the soft target
Privacy works both ways. A fence that keeps neighbours from seeing your terrace also keeps them from seeing anyone working on your back door. Add a shed with a padlock that can be cut in seconds, containing exactly the tools somebody would want, and the whole chain is only as strong as its weakest link.
The garden gate matters too. A gate that can be climbed is a nuisance; a gate that can be opened quietly is an invitation, because it lets someone carry things out rather than only in.
What actually helps
On the back door, the same certified cylinder you would use at the front, plus a second locking point if the door is wide or half glazed. Sliding patio doors need a dedicated lock, because the standard handle catch does very little and the panel can often be lifted out of its track entirely.
On the shed, a closed shackle padlock with a hardened hasp, so there is nothing for cutters to grip. On the gate, a lock that needs a key from the outside rather than a bolt anyone can reach over. The full list of what we fit is on our locksmith services page.
Windows are the last item on the list and the one most often skipped. Ground floor windows and the small ventilation panes above them are frequently left on a catch that can be opened from outside with very little effort. Lockable window catches cost a few euros each, fit in minutes, and do not change how the window looks or opens. On a terraced house with a garden, they close the gap that a good back door lock leaves open.
Bikes and the storage box
In this neighbourhood bikes live outdoors, often in a box or under a cover. A good frame lock plus a chain to a fixed point beats any single lock, and the fixed point matters more than the chain. Anchoring into paving or a wall takes minutes and turns the whole arrangement from decorative to useful.
Lighting and sightlines
Hardware is half the answer in a neighbourhood like this. A back door under a light that comes on with movement is a far less attractive proposition than the same door in the dark, and it costs less than any lock. Cutting back the hedge beside the gate has the same effect. The aim is not to make the garden unpleasant to sit in, it is to remove the quiet corner where someone can work on a door unseen for ten minutes. Most homes here have exactly one such corner, and the owner usually knows which it is.
Frequently asked questions
More answers are on our locksmith FAQ page.
Can you fit a lock on a sliding patio door?
Yes. There are dedicated locks that also stop the panel being lifted from its track.
Is a padlock on the shed enough?
Only if the hasp is as strong as the padlock. Most fail at the hasp, not the lock.
Should my back door use the same key as the front?
It can, and it is convenient. We fit matched cylinders so one key serves both.
Do you fit ground anchors for bikes?
Yes, into paving or masonry.
How fast can you reach Watergraafsmeer?
Usually within 30 minutes, at any hour.
Back door in Watergraafsmeer needs attention?
Call +31 (0)20 210 1986 for urgent help, or book a walk around your property through our contact page.
