Some may joke about Manchester having a wet climate, but the almost incessant rain around these parts has been less out of the ordinary than in other parts of Britain, while the last 18 months have been the wettest on record across England.

Notwithstanding the El Nino effect currently impacting global weather, which is a regular and natural cycle, the expectation is that this is part of a new normal, especially as the last year has brought record worldwide temperatures every month. In this warmer climate model, winters will be wetter and summers drier.

If you have flat roofing, you may wonder how this may fit with such a change, not least as some might think the lack of a sloping roof for rain to run off is a bad idea to start with.

However, with the right maintenance in place, you may find such a roof is actually suited to a warmer climate.

What you will certainly need is good drainage, with a flat roof drainage system that has the capacity to deal with a lot of rain. Key features should be having two outlets in case one gets blocked.

Not only will this stop large pools of water from forming, but it will also help protect against ice damage in winter (although a warmer climate will mean less freezing and less snow, this will still happen sometimes).

You may also need more regular maintenance because winters will bring more storms, so the dangers of damage caused by flying and falling debris will be greater. This may also increase the risk of drainage system blockages.

However, it is not all about handling bad weather news. There may be some upsides you can enjoy too.

Hotter and drier summers create an opportunity to make your roof into an area you can enjoy spending time out on, rather like an apartment balcony. It will need to be sturdy enough to take your weight and that of the furniture. At the same time, you will need to bear in mind there will be more wear and tear if feet and furnishings are on it regularly.