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Yes, a toilet, sink, and shower can share the same vent. This is a common installation method that can simplify plumbing and save space. However, there are important considerations. The vent and associated plumbing must be large enough to handle the demands of all fixtures without compromising the vent's effectiveness. Additionally, the toilet should always be located downstream of all other fixtures. Because requirements can vary and space might be limited, it is essential to check your local building and plumbing codes and consult with a qualified plumber to ensure the installation is done correctly.

Some older homes have toilets in the basement to combat sewage backups. This type of toilet, also known as a Pittsburgh potty, acted as a safety valve over the incoming sewer line. If a line backed up, it would back up into the toilet because it was the lowest fixture in the home, keeping it out of sight and away from the finished areas of the house.

Basement toilets were also used by workers with messy jobs, like those who worked in coal mines or steel mills. This way, they could clean up and avoid tracking dirt through their home.

If you decide to replace the toilet flapper yourself, the only cost will be buying the new flapper for around $5 to $17. You can also hire a plumber or handyperson to take on the job instead, in which case you’ll pay an hourly rate for labor plus the cost of parts. Handypersons charge $50 to $150 per hour, while plumbers cost $45 to $200 per hour. This repair might take less than an hour for your pro, but note that many providers have a minimum rate for a house call. 

Toilets typically connect to your main vent stack, a vertical pipe that runs through all finished levels of your home and exits through the roof. It’s located behind the walls, but if you have an unfinished basement or a utility closet, you may find a portion of it running the vertical length of the space. Some basement toilets use an air admittance valve instead, which is a small vent located in the wall directly behind the toilet that extends upward a few feet from the drain.